US Strikes Hit Iranian Bridges and Military Sites on Sixth Night

The US conducted a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting military sites, bridges, and areas near the Strait of Hormuz as the two sides battle for control of the strategic waterway in the latest Iran strikes. [1] [2]

US Completes Sixth Night of Strikes

US Central Command stated that forces including fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities. [3] Centcom said the operation was intended to further degrade Iranian military capabilities and hold Iran accountable for recent attacks on commercial shipping. [1] [3] The command added that over 50,000 US service members stationed in the Middle East remain vigilant, lethal, and ready. [3] Centcom also announced that US forces had boarded a vessel as part of a blockade of Iranian ports and the area around the Strait of Hormuz. [1] [2]

Iranian Reports of Damage and Casualties

Iranian state media reported US missiles struck near Qeshm island, Bandar Abbas, and Bushehr, the site of a nuclear power plant. [1] [2] Attacks also hit bridges in Hormozgan province, with BBC verifying one bridge strike west of Bandar Abbas. [1] [2] Iranian officials reported strikes on an airport, a railway station, and power facilities in Bandar Abbas that caused outages, along with additional explosions in Chabahar. [3] [4] [5] Five bridges were hit in southern Iran, and three people were killed. [3] [5] Iran’s state news agency Mehr reported the bridge strikes, while Tasnim News Agency reported an attack on Iranshahr airport with three strong explosions heard around the facility. [3] Iran’s semi-official YJC news agency said two were injured in one attack. [3]

Escalation Over Strait of Hormuz

The renewed Iran strikes come amid a battle between the US and Iran for control of the Strait of Hormuz. [1] [2] US forces boarded a vessel and redirected three commercial ships as part of a renewed blockade of Iranian ports that began Tuesday night. [1] [2] A prior blockade from April to June disabled nine ships and redirected more than 140. [1] [2] Centcom said marines had boarded an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as part of the blockade actions. [2] As attacks escalate, the Strait of Hormuz has remained shut. [2]

Trump Threats and International Warnings

President Trump had threatened to strike bridges and power plants if Iran did not return to talks. [1] [2] After Trump said in April that the US would bomb civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges and power plants, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime. [1] [2] The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians. [1] [2]

Diplomatic Context Amid Renewed Hostilities

The renewed hostilities are straining a preliminary deal to end the war. [1] [2] The White House said Trump remains open to diplomacy while holding Iran accountable. [2] White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that Trump remained open to talks with Iran. [2] She added that the president will hold them accountable when they turn their back on the words that they state to the United States but is always open to diplomacy at the very same time. [2] Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told state media that Tehran had no reason to abide by any agreement that did not benefit the country. [2]

What to watch next: The Strait of Hormuz remains shut while the White House says talks continue even as US forces hold Iran accountable for attacks on shipping. [2]