Gulf states under Iranian fire as US strikes escalate in Iran

Iran strikes back at Gulf neighbours

Iranian forces have launched attacks on several Gulf states, retaliating against an intensifying US bombing campaign on Iranian soil. The strikes come as the US military expands its operations around the strategic port of Chabahar, targeting bridges, an airport, and a train station.

At least seven people have been killed in the US strikes, according to Iranian state media. The Pentagon confirmed it has hit infrastructure linked to Iran's ability to project power in the Strait of Hormuz. US war secretary Pete Hegseth shared a photo of the Chabahar port tower collapsing under the bombardment.

US campaign targets Chabahar port

Chabahar, Iran's only oceanic port, has become the focal point of the US campaign. Bridges connecting the port to the rest of the country have been destroyed, severing supply routes. The airport in the region was also hit, along with a nearby train station.

US naval forces have boarded vessels near the port, enforcing a blockade that Tehran has condemned as an act of war. The blockade is aimed at choking off Iranian trade and oil exports, which have been a key source of revenue for the regime.

“The strikes are designed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Gulf,” a US defence official said. The official did not confirm how long the campaign would last.

Gulf states caught in crossfire

Iran's retaliation has brought the war to the doorsteps of US-allied Gulf monarchies. Missiles and drones have struck targets in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. At least one oil storage facility in the UAE was set ablaze, though officials have not yet confirmed casualties.

Saudi air defences intercepted several projectiles over the Eastern Province, but debris fell on residential areas. Bahrain reported minor damage near its international airport. The attacks have forced the closure of airspace over parts of the Gulf, disrupting global travel and cargo flights.

Analysts say Iran is trying to demonstrate that it can hit US allies even as its own infrastructure is pounded. The Gulf states, which have long relied on American military protection, now face a direct threat on their soil.

Human cost mounts

In Iran, the human toll is rising. The strikes on Chabahar killed at least seven people, including two port workers and a train driver, according to local hospital sources. Dozens more have been wounded. The targeting of a train station has raised concerns about civilian infrastructure being hit.

Iranian officials have accused the US of violating international law. “Bombing a train station is a war crime,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. The US military has not commented on the civilian casualties, but Pentagon officials maintain that all strikes were aimed at military targets.

Hospitals in the region are on high alert, with reports of power outages complicating rescue efforts. The International Committee of the Red Cross has called for all parties to spare civilian infrastructure.

Hormuz blockade deepens crisis

The blockade of Iranian ports has added a new dimension to the conflict. US Navy ships are now stopping and searching vessels suspected of carrying Iranian oil or weapons. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 20% of the world's oil supply, remains tense but open.

Shipping companies have begun rerouting vessels, and oil prices have spiked. Insurance premiums for tankers in the Gulf have tripled. The US has warned that any attempt by Iran to mine the strait will be met with overwhelming force.

Iran has threatened to close the strait if its ports remain blockaded, but has so far not acted on that threat. The standoff shows no signs of de-escalation, with both sides digging in.

What happens next depends on whether the US chooses to expand its strikes to other Iranian cities or ports. Diplomatic channels remain open, but no talks have been scheduled. The Gulf states are now bracing for a long, bloody summer.