US Military Launches Seventh Consecutive Night of Airstrikes on Iran, Targeting Ports, Power, and Transportation Infrastructure

The US military launched airstrikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive night on Friday (17th). The latest attacks targeted southern bridges, railways, and port facilities, aiming to weaken Iran’s military logistics and maritime operational capabilities, and to cut off transportation links between the key port of Bandar Abbas and inland regions. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US military facilities across the Middle East, escalating the conflict into Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar.

On Friday, US Central Command announced a new round of attacks at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. This marks the seventh consecutive night of military operations by US forces. In a post on social platform X, US Central Command stated the attacks were carried out under the direction of the US military’s top commander, with the goal of continuously degrading Iran’s military capabilities. However, specific targets of the seventh night’s airstrikes were not immediately disclosed.

In the previous night’s operations, the US military targeted Iran’s “military logistics infrastructure” and “maritime operational capabilities.”

According to Iranian officials, the airstrikes damaged at least six bridges in the south, including one still under construction, and a railway transfer station west of Bandar Abbas Port. These road and rail bridges are vital transportation links connecting the port to inland areas such as the capital Tehran. While alternative routes remain, further escalation by the US could disrupt the transport of both military supplies and civilian goods.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported at least eight deaths and 20 injuries from the attacks. Iranian officials and state media accused the US of striking civilian infrastructure, though casualty figures have not been independently verified.

On Friday, Iran also acknowledged for the first time that its power facilities were attacked. Iran’s Energy Ministry, via state-run ISNA, urged residents in southern provinces to reduce electricity consumption to ease the burden on the power grid.

Additionally, US airstrikes damaged a maritime control tower at Chah Bahar Port on the Oman Sea coast. Chah Bahar, located outside the Strait of Hormuz, is a strategically important port jointly operated by Iran and India. US Defense Secretary Hegseth posted photos on X late Thursday showing the collapsed tower and thick smoke rising from the area.

Iran’s Mehr News Agency noted this was the third attack on the facility in recent days, potentially disrupting port operations.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced it had launched missiles and drones at multiple US military bases in neighboring countries, with attacks reaching Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Syria.

The Revolutionary Guard claimed targets included radar installations and two “HIMARS” multiple rocket launcher systems in Kuwait, US fighter jets and aerial refueling aircraft in Jordan, and the US special operations command center at Al-Tanf base in Syria. This marks the first time Iran has claimed direct attacks on bases within Syria.

However, Iran’s claims could not be independently verified by press time, and the US Department of Defense has not issued an immediate response. The US military announced in February that it had transferred the Al-Tanf base to Syrian forces.

Qatar’s Interior Ministry reported that debris from air defense intercepts injured a child. Bahrain sounded air raid alerts on Friday morning, urging residents to seek shelter.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity and Water confirmed a power and desalination plant was attacked, causing a fire and damaging several generators. While Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed the operation targeted US military facilities, Kuwait stated the attack affected its local power and water infrastructure.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly ground to a halt. A temporary agreement between the US and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, collapsed, leading to days of mutual attacks. The US resumed its maritime blockade on Friday, restricting ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas. US airstrikes have expanded from military targets to include bridges, railways, power, and port-related infrastructure.

Data from energy analytics firm Kpler shows daily vessel traffic through the strait has dropped to around a dozen ships—15 on Wednesday, falling to just eight on Thursday. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments passed through this waterway.

Iran wants ships to sail along routes closer to its coast and pay tolls, while the US encourages commercial vessels to stay near Oman’s side to weaken Tehran’s control over the strait. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that as long as US attacks continue, no oil or natural gas exports will be possible from the region.

Despite escalating hostilities, communication channels between the US and Iran appear not to be completely severed. White House Press Secretary Levitt said on Thursday that Iran wants to “reach an agreement,” and described the US military’s recent strikes as a response to Iran firing on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also mentioned Iran’s release of an American citizen detained since 2024, calling the move a “gesture of goodwill.” White House officials said Dena Karari, who has dual US-Iranian citizenship and leads the nonprofit “Children of Mehr Foundation,” had safely left Iran and was expected to return to the US in the coming days. She is reported to be in good health.