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 neighborhoods have been hit, while elsewhere, bridges, water facilities, food silos and other civilian infrastructure have reportedly come under attack. US President Donald Trump told 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 defense systems have been activated across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE 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. The war began on February 28 with Israeli and US strikes on Iran.
Questions are mounting over Washington’s objectives as attacks increasingly hit infrastructure used by civilians. Are the attacks aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities, preparing for a ground invasion, or increasing economic and political pressure?
Southern Iran’s coastline has come under repeated attack. Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main naval hub overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, has been among the hardest-hit cities. Iranian media report two killed and eight wounded after strikes hit the Kahurestan Bridge and a residential area.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the attacks constitute “a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law”, amounting to “serious international crimes” under the Geneva Conventions.
Military analysts say the strikes on bridges aim to undermine Iran’s military logistics in the south. Some experts suggest the attacks could be a precursor to a limited ground invasion of southern Iran, though others believe the goal is to pressure Tehran into negotiations.
Source: www.aljazeera.com