The United States and Iran have exchanged another round of military attacks across the Middle East, extending a conflict that continues to threaten regional stability and global energy supplies.
Fresh American strikes overnight targeted transport links, energy infrastructure and military facilities in southern Iran, while Tehran responded with missile attacks aimed at several US-aligned Gulf states.
The latest exchanges underline the growing importance of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy corridors, where shipping has been severely disrupted in recent months.
Washington stated that its latest operation is part of a broader effort to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and reduce its influence over the strategic waterway, through which around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass.
The campaign follows repeated warnings from US President Donald Trump that further action would be taken against Iranian infrastructure unless Tehran eased its control over shipping through the strait.
Iran, however, has maintained that it has authority over the passage and has continued measures that have significantly reduced commercial traffic. The disruption has helped keep international oil prices above 86 dollars a barrel, adding pressure to global energy markets.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Friday’s operation was the seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military assets.
The military said, "Surveillance systems, logistics facilities, underground weapons storage sites and maritime capabilities were among the targets.”
Iranian officials reported that the strikes also affected several civilian areas. Authorities said dozens of people had been killed and hundreds injured in recent American strikes, including casualties from attacks on bridges in Hormozgan province. The figures have not been independently verified.
The Pentagon also confirmed additional casualties among American forces, saying that 13 service members were wounded during the latest operations, bringing total US military casualties since the conflict began to 14 deaths and more than 400 injuries.
Among the latest targets was a surveillance tower at Chabahar port on Iran’s Gulf of Oman coastline. Iranian authorities described the structure as part of the port’s civilian infrastructure, while the US military said that it had been used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to monitor commercial shipping and identify potential maritime targets.
Iranian state media also reported damage to transport routes linking Bandar Abbas, the country’s largest commercial port, with inland regions.
The Energy Ministry acknowledged that electrical infrastructure had come under attack for the first time since the conflict began and appealed to residents in southern provinces to reduce electricity consumption during a period of extreme summer heat.
In response, Iran expanded its missile campaign beyond direct military targets.
Missiles were launched towards Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, according to regional officials.
Qatar said its air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles, but falling debris reportedly injured one child.
Kuwait said, "A missile strike damaged a desalination and power facility, temporarily affecting an important source of drinking water.”
Kuwaiti authorities also reported drone attacks on military sites that injured several personnel.
Elsewhere, Jordan said it intercepted three Iranian missiles approaching its airspace, while explosions occurred in Iraq’s Kurdish region.
Local officials said, "An attack targeting the Iranian Kurdish opposition group Komala killed at least nine people.”
British maritime authorities also confirmed that a commercial tanker suffered minor damage while passing through the Strait of Hormuz near Oman.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the incident has not been officially confirmed.
Iran claimed on Saturday that two oil tankers had exploded after entering a mined section of the Strait of Hormuz. It did not provide evidence to support the allegation, and CENTCOM dismissed the claim as false.
The fighting comes after an earlier ceasefire collapsed, leaving little sign that the conflict, now in its fifth month, is moving towards a negotiated settlement.
Before hostilities erupted in late February, Washington and Tehran had been holding talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. Those negotiations have since stalled as military operations have intensified.
Despite growing international concern, neither side has indicated a willingness to reduce military pressure.
Energy analysts warn that while some Gulf exporters have redirected supplies through pipeline networks, these alternatives cannot replace the vast shipping capacity provided by the Strait of Hormuz.
With vessel movements now at their lowest level in weeks, the continuing conflict is expected to keep global energy markets tense as governments and traders monitor developments in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
