US Launches Fresh Strikes On Iran As Tehran Reports Civilian Damage

The United States has launched a sixth consecutive night of military strikes against Iran, with Tehran accusing Washington of hitting civilian infrastructure, including bridges, an airport and a railway station, as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate.

According to the US Central Command (Centcom), the latest operation was aimed at “further degrade Iranian military capabilities”, while also confirming that US forces boarded a vessel as part of the renewed blockade of Iranian ports.

Iranian state media and provincial officials, however, claimed the attacks extended beyond military targets, alleging that bridges, a train station and an airport were struck. BBC Verify confirmed damage to a bridge west of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it responded by targeting US maritime surveillance radar sites in Oman, along with military positions in Kuwait and Bahrain. The group also claimed responsibility for an attack on a US special operations command centre at al-Tanf in Syria, describing it as retaliation for the deaths of Iranian soldiers earlier this week. Neither Syria nor the United States has commented on the claim.

Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that Iranian strikes damaged electricity generation and water desalination facilities, causing fires and disrupting power production. Jordan’s military also reported intercepting three Iranian missiles, adding that there were no casualties or damage.

The IRGC further claimed it struck US fighter jets stationed in Bahrain, according to Iranian state television.

In Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, at least eight people were killed and several others injured after an attack on Sulaymaniyah, according to Kurdish outlet Rudaw and AFP. Kurdish officials blamed Iran for the assault. Authorities also reported intercepting eight drones over Erbil without casualties.

The latest exchange comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy shipping route, remains closed following Iran’s response to US-Israeli military operations. The continued disruption has raised concerns about global energy supplies.

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that prolonged instability could have serious consequences for global markets.

“We should be worried, and I am worried, if the situation does not improve in the next few weeks,” Birol said.

On Friday, China and Pakistan jointly called on both Washington and Tehran to end hostilities and return to negotiations.

The latest US strikes reportedly targeted areas near Qeshm Island as well as the southern cities of Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, where Iran’s only nuclear power plant is located.

Although Centcom listed “coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities” among its targets, it made no reference to attacks on bridges. The BBC said it had requested clarification from the US military.

Iranian officials, however, maintained that Iranshahr Airport, a railway station and six bridges in Hormozgan Province were struck during the overnight bombardment.

Provincial authorities said seven people were killed in the attacks.

BBC Persian and BBC Verify authenticated footage showing significant damage to Gariveh Bridge, which connects Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khamir and Lar.

Videos captured overnight showed flames engulfing the bridge while vehicles remained stranded nearby. Images taken the following morning revealed a collapsed section of the roadway surrounded by rubble.

Iranian media also reported widespread power outages across Hormozgan Province following damage to electricity infrastructure.

Additional strikes were reported in Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan and Sistan-Baluchestan provinces along Iran’s southern coastline.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump warned that Iran’s bridges and power plants could become targets if Tehran refused to return to negotiations.

Following similar remarks made by Trump in April, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that “deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime”.

Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 38 people have been killed and more than 400 injured since fighting resumed with the United States.

Centcom also confirmed that US Marines boarded an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as part of the renewed maritime blockade, adding that “redirected 3 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade”.

The US military noted that during its previous blockade between April 13 and June 18, forces disabled nine vessels and redirected more than 140 ships attempting to access Iranian ports.

Despite the renewed military confrontation, the White House insisted diplomatic channels remain open.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump remains willing to negotiate with Tehran.

“The president will hold them accountable when they turn their back on the words that they state to the United States. But he is always open to diplomacy at the very same time,” she said.

She added that Iran had indicated an interest in reaching an agreement with Washington.

“We’re talking to them, but again, the president is not going to allow them to fire on ships in the strait without paying a consequence for that.”

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said earlier this week that Tehran saw “no reason” to honour any agreement that failed to protect Iranian interests.

He also maintained that Iran’s national security depended on preserving what he described as “Iranian arrangements”in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, President Trump praised Iran on Wednesday after the reported release of American detainee Dena Karari.

“The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Karari’s attorney, Jared Genser, said she was travelling back to the United States.

However, Iran’s judiciary later denied the reports, with state media quoting officials as saying that no American prisoner had been released or exchanged from Iranian custody.