Iran says seven killed in latest US strikes, warns war ‘will spread

Iran reports seven killed in latest US strikes, warns conflict ‘will spread’

The United States continued its military campaign against Iran for a sixth consecutive night, with the latest wave of airstrikes targeting infrastructure in the country’s south. According to Iranian state media, a US attack on the Bandar-e Khamir bridge in Hormozgan province resulted in at least seven deaths and nine injuries. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the latest operation began at 18:00 GMT on Thursday, describing the strikes as an effort to further degrade Iranian military capabilities. The campaign involved fighter jets, drones, and warships hitting dozens of targets, including coastal surveillance, air defense sites, and logistics infrastructure.

Collapse of Interim Peace Efforts

The current hostilities mark the total breakdown of an interim memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the US and Iran just last month. Both nations have accused the other of violating the agreement, which was intended to serve as a step toward peace. On Tuesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi declared the MoU no longer valid. The US has since reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, leading to confrontations in the Gulf of Oman, where US forces have redirected three commercial vessels and disabled one that failed to comply with the blockade.

Regional Escalation and Warnings

Iranian officials have signaled that the conflict is likely to expand. Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned that Iran’s retaliatory attacks will spread to new areas if US strikes continue. Another military official stated that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz will never return to how it was before the war, which began on February 28 following a joint US-Israeli attack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a series of strikes on US-allied nations, including:

Photo: Reuters

For more on this story, see US Launches New Raids in Iran as Netanyahu Visits White House.

• Bahrain: Air raids were activated following an IRGC-claimed attack on an airbase used by US forces.
• Kuwait: Military officials reported that 32 drones targeted vital facilities, causing material damage and wounding four personnel on a naval vessel.
• Qatar: The nation, acting as a key mediator, warned citizens to take shelter twice on Friday as Iranian missiles targeted the country. Falling debris wounded one child.
• Jordan: The Jordanian military intercepted and downed four Iranian ballistic missiles that entered its airspace.

The Strategic Battle for the Strait of Hormuz

The conflict is largely driven by a struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas traded in peacetime once passed. Since the war began, Iran has effectively closed the strait to shipping, leading to a sharp rise in oil prices and a drop in cargo shipments by nearly a quarter. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges to compel Tehran to negotiate.

Humanitarian and Economic Impact

The broader war has resulted in significant casualties and economic disruption. While US officials have not provided a specific civilian death toll, Iranian officials claim that US strikes throughout the campaign have killed more than 35 people and wounded over 300. International law experts have previously raised concerns regarding the targeting of civilian-essential infrastructure, such as bridges and power stations, noting that such actions may violate the 1949 Geneva Conventions. As the conflict persists, global markets remain shaken, and oil shippers have resorted to transiting the region with location devices disabled or pausing operations entirely to mitigate risks.