US destroys control tower at Iran's Chabahar port and expands strikes on bridges

The U.S. Central Command confirmed that a strike on Friday destroyed the maritime control tower at Iran's Kalantari (Chabahar) port, the third such attack in under a week. The explosion damaged nearby piers, disrupted port operations and caused widespread power outages in the strategic gateway used for trade to India and Afghanistan.

Iranian state media reported that the broader air campaign also hit five coastal bridges, railway stations and other infrastructure in the Hormozgan province, killing at least eight people and injuring around 20. The United States said the tower was part of a sea‑monitoring network used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to track ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

In retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced attacks on U.S. facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Syria, and warned that oil and gas shipments would be halted while U.S. actions continue. The U.S. also conducted a naval boarding of an Iranian‑linked tanker near the Strait of Hormuz as part of its “steel wall” blockade, emphasizing its aim to keep the chokepoint open for commercial traffic.

The heightened tension has prompted market participants to raise risk premiums for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting concerns over broader regional instability and possible disruptions to global oil supplies.