Tensions in the Gulf have escalated significantly as the United States military launched a series of strikes against Iranian air defense sites and logistics infrastructure. The operation, which sought to pressure Iran into lifting its control over the Strait of Hormuz, resulted in the destruction of six bridges in Hormozgan province and power infrastructure. Additionally, a maritime control tower in the port of Chabahar, a critical commercial hub in the Gulf of Oman, appeared to be destroyed in the overnight strikes.
The military action follows an earlier incident involving an attack on a merchant vessel, which was subsequently abandoned by its crew while in flames. In response to the U.S. strikes, Tehran vowed to target the infrastructure of American allies in the region. On Friday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched a wave of missiles and drones, specifically targeting Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. The Guard also claimed to have attacked U.S. special forces at al-Tanf in Syria, a former military outpost from which U.S. troops withdrew in February.
Regional authorities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar—the latter serving as a key mediator in talks to end the conflict—reported that their air defense systems were actively intercepting hostile attacks. Jordan also successfully defended against Iranian missiles, while strikes were reported in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, where a local opposition group stated at least eight fighters were killed. Legal scholars have raised concerns that targeting infrastructure with significant civilian utility could potentially be classified as a war crime under international law.
The current military standoff is compounded by a U.S. blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, a measure reinstated earlier this week to degrade Iranian military capabilities. Since the blockade began, the U.S. military reports it has redirected three vessels, disabled an oil tanker that refused to comply with orders, and boarded another ship to ensure enforcement. The ongoing instability has caused oil prices to surge by 10% this week.
Iran had previously announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on July 12, following the onset of hostilities on February 28. Tehran has sought to impose tolls on cargo and oil vessels navigating the waterway, attacking those that failed to comply. While the U.S. has encouraged ships to utilize a southern route along the coast of Oman, Iran maintains that this practice violates a memorandum of understanding signed last month between the two nations. Further strikes on Iranian bridges have been threatened if the nation does not return to negotiations to conclude the war.
There was no immediate response by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to Iran's claim.
Impacted by the escalation, oil prices jumped 10% this week.
