US strikes Iranian bridges, railway station and airport in sixth night of attacks near Strait of Hormuz
American airstrikes hit two bridges, a railway station and an airport in southern Iran, killing three and wounding at least 12, as the US campaign to degrade Iran's military capabilities entered its sixth consecutive night.
Strikes across southern Iran
American forces launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran on the night of July 16, the sixth consecutive night of attacks since a temporary ceasefire collapsed. The operation, confirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted military and critical infrastructure across the country's south, near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported explosions in Qeshm Island, the port city of Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Ahvaz, Bandar Lengeh, and areas near the Pakistan border. Earlier in the afternoon, around 6:10 p.m. local time, US missiles struck sites near Qeshm Island, according to the Fars and Tasnim news agencies. The governorate of Hormozgan province said the island was hit repeatedly. Later, CENTCOM announced the start of a broader operation at 9:30 p.m. local time. Strikes then hit two bridges in Bandar Hamir, the railway station in Bandar Abbas, and the airport in Iranshahr, with the airport attack occurring around 11:00 p.m., causing strong tremors.
- US missiles strike near Qeshm Island, per Fars and Tasnim agencies.
- CENTCOM announces new wave of strikes; explosions in Bandar Abbas.
- Iranshahr airport hit; two bridges in Bandar Hamir struck, killing 3 and wounding 9.
- Bandar Abbas railway station hit, wounding 2; power lines damaged; explosions in Bushehr, Ahvaz, Bandar Lengeh.
Casualties and damage
The bridge strikes in Bandar Hamir killed three people and wounded nine others, Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported. The Bandar Abbas railway station was hit, leaving two people injured. In Bushehr, at least one person was wounded. Power lines in the Bandar Abbas area were damaged, disrupting electricity. Iran's energy ministry called on citizens to limit air conditioner use to ensure stable power supply in southern provinces, where temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius. The BBC verified through visual analysis that at least one bridge west of Bandar Abbas was struck. No casualties were reported from the Iranshahr airport strike.
- Bandar Hamir bridges
- 12 people
- Bandar Abbas railway
- 2 people
- Bushehr
- 1 people
US operation and rationale
CENTCOM said the operation aimed to "further degrade Iran's military capabilities." The strikes followed a warning from former President Donald Trump that the US could target Iranian bridges and energy facilities if Tehran did not return to negotiations. The US has been conducting airstrikes since the end of a temporary truce, with this being the sixth wave. The operation began at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, according to CENTCOM.
The operation is intended to further degrade Iran's military capabilities.
Iran's response and warnings
Iran's military described the Strait of Hormuz as a "non-negotiable red line" and vowed a decisive reaction to any further US escalation. Tehran also repeated its threat to strike "all infrastructure in the wider region" if the US attacks critical Iranian facilities. State media referred to the US as the "American enemy" in its coverage.
The Strait of Hormuz is a non-negotiable red line.
Broader context and naval blockade
The airstrikes are part of a wider confrontation over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil flows. In parallel, CENTCOM announced that US Marines boarded an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as part of an ongoing naval blockade. The escalation continues despite a memorandum of understanding brokered by Pakistan aimed at ending the conflict and securing a lasting peace agreement.
