The United States and Iran have expanded military strikes to include civilian and energy infrastructure, with U.S. forces hitting Iranian bridges and Iran targeting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait. According to U.S. Central Command and Iranian state media, these escalations follow the collapse of a ceasefire agreement on July 7, triggering renewed maritime blockades and air strikes across the Gulf region.
U.S. Central Command Targets Iranian Logistics Infrastructure
U.S. military operations have shifted toward “military logistics infrastructure,” a term Central Command used for the first time in over a week to describe its targets. On Friday, the military reported reinitiating attacks for the seventh consecutive night, with strikes occurring at 3 p.m. ET. These operations are intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities under the direction of the Commander in Chief, according to a statement posted on X.
The impact on the ground was reported by Iranian state media and the semi-official Mehr news agency. At least five bridges in southern Iran were struck. In the southern port of Bandar Khamir, seven people were killed in attacks that also hit a train station. Reuters verified video footage showing rubble, broken railings, and a vehicle damaged on a smashed bridge in Bandar Khamir.
Further inland, an airport in Iranshahr, located in a province bordering Pakistan, was reportedly hit. While explosions were heard in Sirik, Ahvaz, and Yazd, Mehr news agency stated that no casualties were reported from projectiles outside the city of Yazd.
Did you know? The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints. Iran’s announcement of the strait’s closure and the subsequent U.S. blockade of Iranian ports have severely disrupted global energy supplies.
Iran Targets Kuwaiti Desalination and Gulf Infrastructure
Tehran responded to U.S. air strikes by hitting vital infrastructure in neighboring Arab states. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that an Iranian attack hit a power generation and water desalination station, causing a fire and disrupting multiple electricity generation units. This is a critical vulnerability for Gulf states that rely on these plants to make desert cities habitable.
The Revolutionary Guards also claimed to have destroyed Bahrain’s main artificial intelligence center and a U.S. drone depot in Bahrain using ballistic missiles and drones. In the northern Indian Ocean, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported that the Iranian navy fired a shore-to-sea cruise missile at a “hostile” U.S. vessel, forcing the ship to move out of range.
Maritime Escalation and Energy Markets
The conflict has spilled into the shipping lanes of the Gulf and the Red Sea. Iranian media, citing the Revolutionary Guards, reported that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after navigating a mined route south of the Strait of Hormuz. Simultaneously, armed men seized another vessel off the coast of Yemen.
The Revolutionary Guards stated via state television that no oil, gas, or chemical fertilizers will be exported from the region until U.S. “aggression” ends. This instability drove benchmark Brent crude oil prices up three per cent on Friday, marking a third consecutive weekly gain.
Risk of Full-Scale Offensive Operations
The collapse of the interim agreement on July 7 has left both nations testing the limits of escalation. Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader and former Revolutionary Guards top commander, warned on state television that Iran will move into “full-scale offensive operations” if U.S. strikes continue for several more days.
President Donald Trump has responded by threatening broad-based air strikes on Iranian infrastructure. He has also declined to rule out a ground assault on Iranian islands or the coast. U.S. officials indicated that focusing attacks on southern Iran is intended to provide the president with more strategic options.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the escalation, specifically regarding attacks on civilian infrastructure across the region, according to his spokesperson.
Comparison of Strategic Targets
| U.S. Targets (per Central Command/Iran Media) | Iranian Targets (per IRGC/Local Authorities) |
|---|---|
| Military logistics infrastructure | Kuwaiti power and desalination plants |
| Five bridges (Bandar Khamir) | Bahraini AI center and drone depots |
| Iranshahr airport | U.S. naval vessels in the Indian Ocean |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the desalination plant in Kuwait a significant target?
Arab Gulf states depend on these plants to produce fresh water from seawater. According to regional reports, hitting these plants is viewed as a major escalation because it threatens the basic habitability of desert cities.
What happened to the ceasefire agreement?
The interim agreement collapsed on July 7 after Iran struck ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. responded with air strikes.
How is the conflict affecting oil prices?
Brent crude oil prices rose three per cent on Friday as the conflict threatened energy supplies from the Gulf, leading to a third consecutive weekly gain.
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