US Strikes Iran’s Energy and Bridges in Seventh Night of Bombing

The United States has intensified its bombing campaign against Iran, targeting bridges and energy facilities in a seventh consecutive night of attacks. The strikes come as fighting for control of the Strait of Hormuz escalates. At least seven people were killed and several more wounded overnight, according to reports. The US military said the goal is to “weaken the Iranian army.” Iran claims the recent attacks have killed dozens and wounded hundreds. The US strikes hit the coastal city of Bandar Khamir in Hormozgan province. Officials say the attacks on railway and highway bridges appear designed to isolate Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main port, from roads leading to Tehran. Iran acknowledged the attacks on its power grid for the first time on Friday. Its energy ministry asked people in southern provinces to reduce electricity use due to “extreme heat.” About 10,000 people in 20 villages have lost drinking water after a desalination plant was hit. In response, Iran launched missiles at US allies in the region. Qatar warned residents to take shelter twice, and a child was injured by falling debris. In Kuwait, a desalination plant was damaged, affecting a country where 90% of drinking water comes from such facilities. Jordan said it intercepted three Iranian missiles. A tower at Iran’s Chabahar port collapsed after a US strike. Iran says the tower monitored commercial traffic; the US says it was used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to track ships in the Strait. Oil prices rose above $86 per barrel on Friday, near a one-month high. Ship crossings through the Strait fell to their lowest level in three weeks. Iran has demanded exclusive control of the Strait and wants to charge fees for ships passing through. Before the war, about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas moved through the waterway. The US has also reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. President Donald Trump has threatened further attacks on power plants and bridges to force Iran to give up control of the Strait. Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will not appear in public until the situation with the US and Israel normalizes, a source told Russian news agency TASS.