Iran also claimed it launched drone attacks targeting US military assets in Bahrain, while CENTCOM said American operations were aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities linked to threats in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials said a missile struck areas near a cancer hospital in Ahvaz as the United States launched another wave of strikes and tightened maritime operations against Tehran. | Reuters via ANI
Iran on Thursday accused the United States of expanding its military campaign to civilian infrastructure, alleging that American strikes killed three people and injured several others in Hormozgan province, while warning that US infrastructure across West Asia could become a target if attacks continue.
The developments came as US forces carried out a sixth consecutive night of strikes against Iran. Tehran said bridges, transport links and residential areas had been hit, while senior military officials warned of broader retaliation if Iranian infrastructure remained under attack.
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According to Iranian state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), multiple locations in Hormozgan province were struck during the latest wave of US attacks.
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IRIB reported that airstrikes hit two bridges near Kohourestan village and the Shor River in Bandar Khamir County.
The broadcaster also said one person was killed and eight others were injured after a strike on the Tappe Allah Akbar neighbourhood in Bandar Abbas.
Quoting Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, IRIB reported that seven of the injured suffered blast-related injuries while another sustained fractures.
“With great regret, one of our compatriots has also achieved the highest degree of martyrdom in this attack,” the university said in a statement carried by IRIB.
The Iranian broadcaster further reported that the Bandar Abbas railway junction station was also struck, leaving two people injured.
Hormozgan Governorate, quoted by IRIB, said two people were killed and four others injured in attacks on the Kohorestan and Giriveh bridges in Khamir County.
Separately, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Iran’s Armed Forces, warned that Tehran could target infrastructure across the region if Iranian infrastructure continued to come under attack.
According to IRIB, Shekarchi said the United States and Israel had “no right” to maintain a military presence in the region.
“The Islamic Republic’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is a factor of security for the entire region, not insecurity,” he said.
“The reason the Strait of Hormuz is becoming insecure is the presence of the Americans.”
He also urged regional countries to cooperate with Iran.
“Regional countries should join hands with Iran. We will not allow any insecurity in the region,” he said.
Warning of possible retaliation, Shekarchi said, “If our infrastructure is damaged, all infrastructure in the region will be our target.”
He added that Iran’s military doctrine was based on offensive action against its adversaries.
“The doctrine of the Islamic Republic is that we will attack the enemy, with force,” he said.
Iran’s Army also announced what it described as the 11th phase of “Operation Lightning”, claiming it had launched Arash drones at the Sakhir base in Bahrain.
According to a statement carried by IRIB, the operation targeted the location of US military helicopters and P-8 reconnaissance aircraft.
The Iranian military said the attack was carried out in response to what it described as US strikes on civilian infrastructure inside Iran.
The claims have not been independently verified.
Unverified reports circulating on social media, including posts by the X account The Hormuz Letter, claimed that explosions were heard in Doha and other Gulf locations, with reports of possible impacts near the US Al Udeid Air Base. The claims could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces launched another wave of strikes on Thursday, extending operations into a sixth consecutive night.
CENTCOM said the operation was aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities that it claimed had been used to threaten commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
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