The United States has intensified its military campaign against Iran, striking civilian infrastructure for a sixth consecutive night, according to Iranian state media. The attacks early Friday targeted bridges in Bandar Khamir, a coastal city on the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the Iranshahr airport and a train station in Bandar Abbas. At least seven people were reported killed.
US Central Command confirmed it had launched dozens of precision munitions from fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships, hitting Iranian military targets including coastal surveillance and air defence sites, logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities. The statement did not address the civilian casualties.
Iran Retaliates Against US Allies in the Gulf
In response, Iran announced it had struck US military infrastructure in Bahrain and Kuwait. State TV framed the attacks as retaliation for what it called “the crimes of the arrogant enemy” and revenge for “the blood of the martyrs of the homeland.” Qatar also reported incoming attacks early Friday, with its defence ministry saying it intercepted missiles. One child was wounded by falling debris, authorities said.
This escalation follows weeks of rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The US has been conducting airstrikes since last weekend, initially targeting Iranian naval assets and later expanding to ports and energy infrastructure. Tehran has responded by striking US allies in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as reported in our earlier coverage: Iran Strikes Gulf States After US Bombing Campaign.
Trump’s Conflicting Signals
In a primetime address to the American public on Thursday, US President Donald Trump declared that the US was “winning big in Iran” and promised that the public would “see the fruits of that labour very, very shortly.” Despite such rhetoric, the prospects for a diplomatic resolution appear remote. The latest fighting has effectively ended the interim deal that had paused hostilities, returning the region to all-out war.
Trump has repeatedly claimed the Iran conflict was nearing an end, but the sustained bombing campaign and Iranian retaliation suggest otherwise. On Wednesday, the US military resumed daylight airstrikes, signalling an intensification of efforts to limit Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. For more context on the blockade, see: US Strikes Iranian Ports as Tehran Moves to Assert Control Over Strait of Hormuz.
European Implications
The conflict has direct consequences for Europe, which relies heavily on Gulf oil and gas supplies. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital transit route for European energy imports, and any disruption could drive up prices and exacerbate inflation across the continent. EU foreign ministers have already debated responses, including potential sanctions on Israeli settlements, as noted in: Iran Strikes Gulf Targets as EU Ministers Debate Israeli Settlement Trade Ban.
European capitals are also concerned about the broader regional instability. Iran has previously threatened to target critical infrastructure in the Gulf and beyond, as detailed in: Iran Threatens Regional Infrastructure Destruction if US Strikes Its Sites. The risk of a wider conflagration involving European allies in the Gulf, such as France and the UK, remains high.
As the US and Iran continue their tit-for-tat strikes, the international community watches with alarm. The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, and the human toll is mounting. For Europe, the stakes are clear: stability in the Gulf is essential for energy security and economic stability, and the current trajectory threatens both.
