Why is the US attacking southern Iran’s civilian infrastructure?
Analysts say the goals range from targeting Iran’s supply lines to curbing its influence in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has expanded its
Analysts say the goals range from targeting Iran’s supply lines to curbing its influence in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has expanded its military campaign against Iran, with Tehran accusing Washington of striking civilian infrastructure as US forces carried out a sixth consecutive night of attacks. Iranian officials say a railway station and residential neighbourhoods have been hit, while elsewhere, bridges, water facilities, food silos and other civilian infrastructure have reportedly come under attack. The latest strikes come after US President Donald Trump said Washington would eventually target Iran’s energy sector, telling Fox News he would “save the energy targets for last”. As tensions escalate, Iran’s military said on Friday it had hit US aircraft at a military base in Bahrain, Kuwait says it is responding to missile and drone attacks, and air defence systems have again been activated this week across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The renewed fighting comes a month after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding extending an April ceasefire and setting out a framework for negotiations aimed at ending the war, which began on February 28 with Israeli and US strikes on Iran. Since then, Tehran and Washington have accused the other of violating the agreement. The latest attacks also coincide with a growing confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has said it will block marine traffic entering the strategic waterway after Oman announced a new shipping transit corridor, while the US has resumed a naval blockade of vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. As the attacks increasingly hit infrastructure used by civilians, questions are mounting over Washington’s objectives. Are the attacks aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and forcing Tehran back to the negotiating table, clearing out vital transport networks to prepare for a ground invasion, or increasing economic and political pressure by disrupting the infrastructure on which daily life depends? The attacks have also spurred debate over whether the attacks comply with international law and whether the conflict risks spiralling into an all-out war. Here’s what we know. What’s been hit? Southern Iran’s coastline has come under repeated attack as US strikes increasingly hit infrastructure stretching across Hormozgan province and neighbouring regions. Explosions have been reported in Ahvaz, Qeshm, Bushehr, Dashti, Bostan, Sirik and Bandar-e Lengeh, with Iranian officials reporting more extensive damage to infrastructure than during previous rounds of attacks. Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main naval hub overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, has been among the hardest-hit cities. Iranian media report that two people were killed and eight wounded after US strikes hit the Kahurestan Bridge and a residential area in the city.
The BriefWire