The United States widened its airstrike campaign in Iran early Friday by targeting bridges, as President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Tehran to ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with fresh missile attacks on U.S.-allied countries in the Middle East, warning that further retaliation would intensify.
Qatar urged residents to take shelter after Iranian missiles targeted the country. Air defense systems intercepted the barrage, though falling debris injured a child, according to Qatar’s Interior Ministry. Iran also targeted Bahrain and Kuwait following overnight U.S. strikes.
The collapse of last month’s interim ceasefire has led to continued exchanges of attacks. Iranian officials said U.S. strikes have killed more than 35 people and wounded over 300, with additional casualties reported on Friday.
Iranian military spokesperson Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that Tehran could target regional infrastructure if Washington attacks Iranian bridges or power plants, describing the Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s “invincible red line.”
Iranian state media reported that overnight U.S. strikes hit bridges in Bandar Khamir in Hormozgan province, killing at least seven people. The U.S. Central Command said dozens of targets were struck during its sixth consecutive night of operations. Meanwhile, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply as the U.S. tightened its naval blockade and regional security risks escalated.