US strikes Iranian civilian infrastructure, Tehran retaliates with attacks on US facilities in Gulfl
In a primetime address to the nation, Trump said the US was 'winning big in Iran' and the American public would see 'the fruits of that labour'. However, a deal seems far out of reach as fighting in the region continues to escalate.
Published on 17/07/2026 - 6:55 GMT+2•Updated 6:56
The US continued its airstrikes on Iran for a sixth night in a row, striking civilian infrastructure early on Friday, Iranian state media reported, adding that at least seven people were killed.
The US airstrikes struck bridges in Bandar Khamir, a Iranian coastal city on the Strait of Hormuz, killing at least three people, state TV wrote on Telegram.
Iranian media also reported the US struck the Iranshahr airport, as well as a train station in Bandar Abbas.
The US Central Command confirmed it hit dozens of targets in its latest airstrikes.
"US forces, including fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships, launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defence sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities," it wrote in a statement.
In a response to the attack, Iran said it had targeted US military infrastructure in Bahrain and Kuwait.
"The attacks were in response to the crimes of the arrogant enemy and in revenge for the blood of the martyrs of the homeland," Iranian state TV reported.
Qatar also reported incoming attacks early Friday, with explosions reported as the defence ministry said its army intercepted incoming missiles. Authorities said one child was wounded by falling debris.
Speaking in a primetime address to the American public on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said the US was "winning big in Iran".
"You will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly," he added.
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly said that the Iran war was nearing an end. However, the prospects of an agreement between the two seems distant, as the latest escalation in fighting has ended the interim deal to end the Iran war and returned an all-out war to the region.
On Wednesday, the US military resumed its air strikes against Iran in broad daylight, as Washington said it was intensifying its campaign aimed at limiting Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait was initially closed following the launch of the US and Israel's war on Iran on the 28 of February, sending oil, fertiliser and the price of other goods soaring far beyond the region, giving Iran major leverage in negotiations.
