TEHRAN — The United States and Iran exchanged strikes targeting infrastructure on Friday, with U.S. forces hitting sites in southern Iran and Tehran launching attacks that damaged regional energy infrastructure, marking a further escalation in the conflict, according to officials and state media reports.
The U.S. military said its latest operations targeted Iranian military-related facilities, including locations near strategic areas along the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials said the strikes were aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping and conduct military operations, while Iranian officials said civilian infrastructure had also been affected.
Iranian state media reported that U.S. strikes damaged bridges and other infrastructure in Hormozgan province, including areas near Bandar Abbas. Iranian health officials reported casualties from the broader campaign, though figures and details remained subject to verification.
In response, Iran carried out missile strikes against targets in Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces, and officials said a power and desalination facility in Kuwait was damaged. The extent of the damage and whether all reported targets were hit could not be independently confirmed.
The United Nations has expressed concern over attacks affecting civilian infrastructure, while regional governments have monitored disruptions to power, transport and maritime activity.
The status of additional strikes, damage assessments and casualty figures remained unclear as authorities on both sides continued to issue statements and the situation continued to develop.
