The U.S. military expanded its campaign against Iran on Thursday, targeting bridges and infrastructure near the strategic port of Bandar Abbas, according to a senior U.S. official. This move aims to sever supply routes for the port city and naval base, which Iran uses to attack ships and project power in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil flowed before the war.
Strategic Moves in the Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. strikes mark an escalation in the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has declared the entire waterway closed to foreign ships, demanding a transit fee. The U.S. has encouraged vessels to move closer to Oman, a move intended to ease Tehran’s grip on the trade route. Shipping traffic through the strait has dwindled to only a dozen or so ships this week; on Thursday, 8 ships transited the strait, down from 15 the day before, according to Kpler. The U.S. military’s decision to target bridges in Bandar Abbas underscores its strategy to weaken Iran’s logistical capabilities in the region.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard responded by launching missiles and drones toward U.S. military bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar. In Qatar, a child was injured by falling shrapnel during interception operations, while Kuwait’s water and electricity ministry reported that one of its power and water desalination plants had been targeted, resulting in a fire and damage to several power generation units. The Guard claimed to have targeted radar facilities and two HIMARS missile launch platforms in Kuwait, and U.S. fighter jets and refueling aircraft in Jordan. However, the Pentagon has not confirmed these assertions, and no immediate response was issued.
Personal Struggles Amid Escalating Conflict
Amid the military escalation, Iranian citizens face mounting economic and psychological turmoil. Reuters interviewed individuals across the country, revealing widespread anxiety over the war’s impact on daily life. Somayeh, a 40-year-old photographer in Tehran, described the war’s toll: The most important thing overall in the middle of the war is the economy. Everyday our situation is worse and more difficult.
She noted that pre-war prices had almost doubled, compounding the stress of an unpredictable conflict.
Amir, a 30-year-old software engineer in Sanandaj, highlighted the disruption caused by internet outages during protests. Within a month or so when the internet was reconnected, the war began. The internet was cut off again, businesses were again severely impacted,
he said. His struggles reflect a broader pattern of instability, with economic fallout compounded by the war’s cyclical nature. The thing that’s the most stressful is the back and forth: one day it’s war, the next it’s peace. We don’t know what’s actually going to happen,
he added.
For more on this story, see US Unleashes Airstrike Campaign Against Iran, Targeting Key Bridges and Infrastructure.
For Nazanin, a 34-year-old psychotherapist in Sanandaj, the war has made emigration seem impossible. I could probably go to Turkey and stay for two months but I neither have the money nor the possibility to make that happen,
she said. Her decision to stay is also shaped by fear of separation from her family. During the war, whenever I was away from my family, I would start thinking if I was hit with an airstrike, how would this affect my family?
she said. The thought of not being with them and of having the destiny of a person living alone with grief was so difficult that it impacted my idea of emigrating.
Broader Implications and Regional Tensions
The conflict’s ripple effects extend beyond military actions, with residents noting potential social unrest. Hiwa, a resident of Mahabad, noted that the war’s economic strain could fuel “street riots” as inflation continues to rise. The continuation of this war can activate social elements because with the continuation of the current trend of inflation, there is no conceivable alternative but street riots,
he said. This sentiment reflects growing concerns about the long-term stability of Iran’s economy and society.
The U.S. has also faced domestic political pressure, with House Republicans pushing for $95 billion for the Iran war, election measures and farm aid. Meanwhile, the conflict has complicated government funding talks, as Sen. Susan Collins, who chairs the committee responsible for writing funding bills, navigates the challenges of balancing war expenditures with other priorities.
As the conflict enters its fifth month, the lack of a stable ceasefire has left both sides in a cycle of retaliation. The U.S. has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to securing the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran continues to assert its control over the region. With shipping traffic at a low and economic instability worsening, the human cost of the conflict grows daily. For Iranians, the war’s uncertainty remains a constant, with lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance.
The situation underscores the fragile state of Middle East diplomacy, with no clear path to de-escalation. As the U.S. and Iran continue their strategic battle, the broader implications for global energy markets and regional stability remain uncertain. For now, the people of Iran bear the brunt of a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
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