US-Iran war expands to infrastructure targets across the region

The U.S. and Iran expanded their conflict Friday by striking critical infrastructure across the Middle East, marking a significant expansion after nearly a week of sustained fighting.

The U.S. struck five bridges around the port city of Bandar Abbas overnight, Iranian state media reported, in addition to strikes on a railway junction.

A surveillance tower at Iran’s Chabahar Port also appeared to collapse after repeated attacks, according to a photo shared on social media by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

President Donald Trump had warned on Tuesday that the United States would intensify attacks on Iran, including strikes on power plants and bridges. In April, Trump threatened to blow up every bridge and power plant in the country.

Critics have argued that attacks on civilian infrastructure could violate international law, but Trump has described the attacks as militarily necessary to pressure Tehran to return to negotiations.

At least three people were killed in strikes on the Bandar Khamir bridges, according to Iranian reports. Iranian officials on Friday asked citizens to use less electricity after attacks on power infrastructure, according to The Associated Press.

In Kuwait, which hosts U.S. installations, Iran struck a power plant and a water desalination station, according to the Kuwaiti government. The attack caused a fire and damage to a large number of electrical units, officials said.

Crews were working to assess the damage and maintain the stability of the country’s electrical grid, they said.

U.S. forces surveil the Strait of Hormuz. The fight over the strait escalated Friday as the U.S. and Iran began striking critical infrastructure in the Middle East. (X/Pete Hegseth)

Friday marked the sixth consecutive day of strikes as the U.S. seeks to stop Iranian attacks on commercial shipping and limit Tehran’s ability to threaten traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

An American blockade of Iran’s ports resumed and has redirected at least three commercial vessels and disabled one, according to U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military activity in the Middle East.

Over the course of seven hours Thursday night, U.S. forces struck dozens of Iranian military targets, including coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities, a CENTCOM statement said.

Meanwhile, several Persian Gulf countries reported intercepts of strikes apparently aimed at U.S. military installations in the region.

Bahrain’s interior ministry twice warned citizens to take shelter Friday morning. Jordan said it was intercepting incoming drone and missile fire from Iran.

In Qatar, authorities reported that one child was injured as a result of falling shrapnel from a missile interception.

Iran struck assorted U.S. targets, including refueling aircraft in Jordan, radar facilities in Oman and aircraft in Bahrain, according to statements posted in state media outlets.

CENTCOM has not confirmed any damage to U.S. facilities or personnel and has previously refuted similar Iranian claims. The command did not immediately respond to questions from Stars and Stripes about damage or injuries from the recent attacks.

The Iranian health ministry said 38 people were killed and 400 injured in U.S. strikes over the past few weeks.

Nearly a month ago, the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to end the hostilities, but the ceasefire has since collapsed. Both countries have accused each other of repeatedly violating the agreement.

Talks to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, halt Tehran’s nuclear program and end the war, which began Feb. 28, are on hold.