Iran strikes Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain as US expands attacks on critical infrastructure

The conflict between the United States and Iran escalated sharply on Friday as Tehran launched attacks on Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain after Washington expanded its bombing campaign to include bridges, ports and energy infrastructure inside Iran.

The latest exchange marks a significant shift in the conflict, with both sides increasingly targeting strategic infrastructure that could have far-reaching military and economic consequences across the Gulf.

The fresh strikes came after the US carried out its sixth consecutive night of air raids, targeting transport links, power infrastructure and key logistics hubs in southern Iran as part of its effort to increase pressure on Tehran amid the ongoing confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz.

US expands campaign to hit Iran's strategic infrastructure

The latest American strikes hit bridges in Iran's Hormozgan province, including routes connecting Bandar Abbas—one of the country's most important commercial ports—to the rest of the country. Iranian media reported casualties from the attacks, while authorities also acknowledged damage to power infrastructure in the country's southern provinces, urging residents to reduce electricity consumption.

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The US campaign also targeted Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman, where a tower overseeing commercial maritime traffic reportedly collapsed following the strikes. The port, which has strategic importance for regional trade and has seen Indian investment in recent years, has increasingly featured in Washington's expanded military campaign.

US President Donald Trump defended the offensive, saying the campaign against Iran was progressing successfully and suggesting that further pressure would force Tehran to loosen its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane through which a significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass.

The latest strikes have reportedly left dozens dead and hundreds injured in Iran, according to Iranian officials.

Iran widens retaliation across Gulf states

Hours after the US strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting several Gulf countries that host American military facilities.

Kuwait said an Iranian strike damaged one of its power generation and water desalination plants, triggering a fire and disrupting production at several units. Authorities urged residents to conserve electricity while emergency teams worked to contain the damage.

The Kuwaiti military also reported that drone attacks on army facilities injured several personnel. Iran, however, said the operation targeted locations used by US forces and their logistical support centres.

Bahrain's military announced that it intercepted and destroyed multiple incoming Iranian aerial threats before they reached their targets. Explosions were heard across the capital, Manama, after air raid sirens sounded overnight.

In neighbouring Qatar, air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles targeting US military assets, according to Iranian state media. Qatari authorities later confirmed that a child was injured by falling debris generated during the interception.

Jordan also said it shot down three Iranian missiles that entered its airspace, while a commercial tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz sustained minor damage in a separate attack, underscoring the growing risks to regional shipping.

Strait of Hormuz emerges as the centre of the conflict

The latest exchange highlights how the battle between Washington and Tehran has evolved beyond military installations to include economic and civilian infrastructure.

Since the collapse of last month's interim ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz has once again become the focal point of the confrontation. Iran has sought to tighten its grip over the strategic waterway, while the US has stepped up military operations aimed at weakening Tehran's ability to disrupt maritime traffic.

The standoff has already begun affecting global energy markets. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level in weeks as vessels either delay transit or alter routes because of security concerns. At the same time, crude oil prices have climbed above $86 a barrel, reflecting growing fears that prolonged hostilities could disrupt one of the world's most important energy corridors.

With the US now striking transport and energy infrastructure and Iran responding by targeting critical facilities in neighbouring Gulf states, analysts warn that the conflict is entering a more dangerous phase—one where civilian infrastructure, commercial shipping and regional economies are increasingly caught in the crossfire.

With inputs from agencies