U.S. Strikes Iranian Bridges and Infrastructure; Iran Targets Gulf Bases

The U.S. military struck bridges, air defense sites, and logistics infrastructure in Iran on Friday, targeting six bridges in Hormozgan province and a maritime control tower in the port of Chabahar. Iranian state media reported at least seven people killed and 20 wounded in the latest strikes, while Iranian health officials said 38 people have been killed and over 400 wounded in the past week.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones against U.S. allies in the Gulf, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, and claimed strikes on a former U.S. outpost in Syria.

The U.S. reinstated a military blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports earlier this week after strikes began on Feb. 28. The U.S. military said it has redirected three vessels attempting to breach the blockade, struck and disabled an oil tanker, and boarded another vessel to ensure compliance.

Iran has shut off the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict and sought to impose tolls on vessels, while the U.S. has urged ships to use a southern route along Oman's coast.

Authorities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar said their air defense systems intercepted hostile attacks on Friday. Jordan also reported intercepting Iranian missiles, and Iranian strikes were reported in Iraq's Kurdistan region where at least eight opposition fighters were killed. Oil prices jumped 10 percent this week amid the escalation.

“The U.S. military said it struck Iranian air defense sites and military logistics infrastructure in its attacks, as it sought to pressure Iran to lift its chokehold on the strait.”