U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates to Infrastructure War; Seven Civilians Killed in Hormozgan Province

The conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated into a war on civilian infrastructure, with the sixth night of U.S. airstrikes resulting in at least seven civilian deaths in Iran’s Hormozgan province. According to state media and medical officials, the strikes targeted bridges in the port city of Bandar Khamir, as well as Iranshahr Airport and a critical tower at Chabahar port. The destruction at Chabahar is expected to have significant regional repercussions, as it serves as a primary trade corridor for landlocked Afghanistan. President Donald Trump has indicated that infrastructure targets, including power plants, remain on the table to pressure Tehran into a new agreement. In response to the intensifying air campaign, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital energy corridor, halting the flow of global oil and gas. Simultaneously, the U.S. Navy's CENTCOM has established a "Steel Wall" blockade around Iranian ports. Strategic maritime tension reached a flashpoint when U.S. forces fired a Hellfire missile at a tanker near Kharg Island after it reportedly ignored multiple warnings. On the diplomatic front, the hostilities have led to the total collapse of the interim Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed just one month ago. The conflict has rapidly spread beyond the two primary combatants. On Friday, Iran launched a series of coordinated missile and drone strikes against U.S.-aligned regional partners, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Notably, Tehran also targeted Qatar, which has previously served as a key mediator in the dispute. As energy prices climb and regional stability wanes, China and Pakistan have emerged with a rare joint diplomatic push, urging both Washington and Tehran to cease military operations and resume negotiations.