U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its large-scale overnight operation against military targets in Iran, which began at 9:30 p.m. Iran time on Thursday, concluded at 5:10 a.m. on Friday. According to CENTCOM’s statement, dozens of military targets, including air defense systems, military logistics infrastructure, and coastal radar facilities, were struck and destroyed.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 17, 2026
Damage to transportation bridges and at least seven killed
At the same time, the state-run Fars News Agency reported that several transportation bridges in Hormozgan Province were damaged in the U.S. strikes. According to the report, the Gariveh Bridge on the Bandar Abbas–Khamir–Lar route, the bridge on the return route from Bandar Abbas–Khamir–Lar after Latidan village, two bridges on the Kahourestan–Lar route, an unfinished bridge on the Bandar Khamir–Keshar–Bandar Abbas road, and the Marou village bridge in Khamir County sustained either partial or complete damage. Iranian domestic media also reported that at least seven people were killed and several others were wounded in the attacks.
Iranian regime missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases
In response to the U.S. strikes, the Iranian regime’s military announced the launch of drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases in the region. The Iranian regime’s military said it had targeted Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain with drones and claimed that hangars housing U.S. helicopters and P-8 maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft had been hit. Iranian media, citing the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also reported missile and drone attacks against U.S. bases in Kuwait and claimed damage had been inflicted on equipment belonging to the 142nd Artillery Brigade and HIMARS missile systems. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s military said its air defense systems were actively intercepting Iranian drone and missile attacks.
Qatar reports intercepting Iranian missiles
During the early hours of Friday morning, several explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, prompting the Qatari government to send an emergency alert instructing residents to move to safe locations. Hours later, the Qatari government announced that its air defense systems had intercepted and neutralized an Iranian missile attack and said the explosions were caused by the interception operation. Qatari officials also said one child was injured by shrapnel resulting from the air defense operation.
CENTCOM: Maritime blockade against Iran continues
CENTCOM also released images showing U.S. Marines aboard an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. According to the statement, U.S. forces boarded the tanker to conduct an inspection and verification. The command also said that three commercial vessels attempting to breach the maritime blockade have so far been stopped; two altered their course, while one was prevented from continuing after refusing to cooperate. CENTCOM emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, but vessels that violate the maritime blockade imposed against Iran will face action by U.S. forces.
International Energy Agency warns about consequences of the Strait of Hormuz crisis
Meanwhile, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), warned about the consequences of continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Referring to the sharp decline in oil tanker traffic through the strategic waterway, he said that if the restrictions continue and the crisis intensifies in the coming weeks, global energy security will face a serious threat. According to Birol, the reduction in oil exports from the region has already led to renewed increases in energy prices, and the continuation of this trend could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.
