US strikes Iran bridges As offensive widens,Gulf states Attacked

The United States has expanded its air campaign against Iran by targeting bridges and transport infrastructure for the first time, signalling a major escalation in President Donald Trump's strategy to force Tehran to loosen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran responded with another wave of missile attacks against US allies across the Gulf, including Qatar, as fears grow that the conflict is sliding towards a prolonged regional war.

Trump broadens military campaign

American warplanes carried out overnight strikes across southern Iran, with bridges in Hormozgan province among the latest targets.

Iranian state media reported that attacks on the coastal city of Bandar Khamir killed at least seven people, while additional strikes hit areas around Tehran and Semnan province, home to key ballistic missile and space facilities.

US Central Command said dozens of military and infrastructure targets were hit during the sixth consecutive night of American air operations.

The attacks follow President Trump's recent warning that bridges, transport links and other infrastructure could become legitimate targets if Tehran refuses to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump says victory is near

Addressing the American people, Trump insisted the campaign was achieving its objectives.

"We are likewise winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly," the president said.

The White House continues to argue the strikes are designed to pressure Iran into accepting a permanent peace agreement and ending military threats against international shipping.

Iran strikes Gulf states

Iran retaliated by launching fresh missile attacks against several US-allied countries in the Gulf.

Qatar activated air defence systems twice as missiles approached its territory, with explosions heard over the capital as interceptors engaged incoming targets.

Qatari authorities said debris from intercepted missiles injured a child.

Iran had already launched strikes against Bahrain and Kuwait following previous American attacks, widening the conflict beyond Iranian territory.

Strait of Hormuz remains flashpoint

Control of the Strait of Hormuz continues to dominate the conflict.

The narrow waterway normally carries around one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil and gas exports, making it one of the most strategically important maritime routes on the planet.

Iran effectively shut the strait after the war began in February, triggering sharp increases in global energy prices and disrupting international shipping.

The collapse of last month's interim ceasefire has now returned the waterway to the centre of military operations.

Naval blockade tightens

Alongside the air campaign, Washington has strengthened its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

US Central Command said three commercial vessels attempting to reach Iranian ports had been turned back, while one tanker was disabled after allegedly ignoring repeated warnings.

American forces also boarded another vessel to ensure compliance with the blockade.

The measures are intended to cut off Iranian oil exports while increasing economic pressure on Tehran.

Shipping and oil markets under strain

Maritime analysts say traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply since the conflict intensified.

According to shipping intelligence firm Lloyd's List, cargo movements through the strait dropped by almost a quarter earlier this month, with further disruption expected as fighting escalates.

Some commercial vessels are now reportedly transiting the region with their tracking systems switched off, while others are delaying voyages altogether because of the growing security risks.

Although Gulf states have increased the use of overland pipelines to bypass the strait, experts say existing infrastructure cannot compensate for the loss of normal shipping capacity.

With both military operations and economic pressure intensifying, hopes of reviving the collapsed ceasefire appear increasingly remote as the conflict enters another dangerous phase.

SOURCE

From what I remember of Geneva convention, attacking civilian infrastructure is a war crime. No wonder Trump loyalists want ICC gone...

Are there really actual people in the US, with head's still attached, who still support this criminal and cowardly compulsive liar with a bad comb-over? If you still support dRuMpH, I would be most interested in how you

might justify such an opinion.

Edited 51 minutes ago51 min by b17