The United States expanded its military campaign against Iran early Friday, targeting additional bridges, energy sites, and a tower at the key port of Chabahar.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, moving beyond previous engagements to directly impact critical maritime and land infrastructure.
This development follows weeks of heightened tensions and failed diplomatic efforts to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The targeting of Chabahar’s maritime traffic management center and surveillance tower raises immediate concerns for commercial vessel operations in the region.
With the port serving as a vital node for regional trade, any disruption to its monitoring capabilities could lead to increased insurance premiums and routing delays for tankers and cargo ships.
The strikes on bridges in the southern Hormozgan province further complicate logistics, potentially isolating key energy facilities and hampering repair efforts.
Markets reacted swiftly to the news, with Brent crude prices climbing as traders priced in the heightened risk of supply disruptions.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes, remains a focal point for geopolitical anxiety.