US Intensifies Air Campaign Against Iran, Targets Bridges; Tehran Escalates Missile Strikes

DUBAI, Jul 17: The United States expanded its airstrike campaign against Iran early Friday, targeting bridges and other strategic infrastructure as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to pressure Tehran into easing its control over the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran launched fresh missile attacks against US-allied countries in the Middle East and warned of further escalation. The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it struck dozens of targets during overnight operations, marking the sixth consecutive night of American airstrikes. Iran responded by firing missiles at Qatar, where authorities urged residents to take shelter as air defence systems intercepted the incoming projectiles. Qatar’s Interior Ministry said debris from intercepted missiles injured a child. Iran also launched attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, accusing the United States of escalating the conflict by striking key infrastructure. The interim ceasefire reached last month has collapsed, leading to days of retaliatory attacks between Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials claimed recent US strikes have killed more than 35 people and injured over 300, with additional casualties reported in Friday’s attacks. The conflict centres on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. Iran effectively shut the waterway to shipping after the war began on February 28, triggering sharp increases in global oil prices and disrupting international trade. Addressing the American public, President Donald Trump defended the military campaign, saying the United States was making significant progress in the conflict. Iranian military spokesperson Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that Tehran could target infrastructure across the region if the United States continued attacking Iranian facilities. “Under no circumstances will we allow America, a foreign power, to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, calling it Iran’s “invincible red line.” Iranian state media reported that overnight US airstrikes hit bridges in Hormozgan province, including near the coastal city of Bandar Khamir, killing at least seven people. Additional strikes reportedly targeted areas around Tehran and Semnan province, home to Iran’s ballistic missile and space programmes. The United States has also tightened pressure at sea by reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports to curb crude oil exports. According to maritime tracking data, cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply amid the conflict, with many commercial vessels delaying transit or switching to alternative routes due to security concerns. The US military said it had redirected three commercial vessels attempting to pass through the blockade, disabled one that failed to comply, and boarded another to ensure enforcement of maritime restrictions.