At least seven killed in US strikes on Iranian bridges and airport, state media claims
The bridges in Iran are a key transit point for the country's main port, Bandar Abbas
The US has launched a fresh set of strikes on an Iranian airport and bridges killing at least seven people, according to reports.
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The two sides have renewed their hostilities as US President Donald Trump described the already fragile ceasefire as "over" last week.
In response to the latest attacks, Tehran retaliated with a strike on a power plant in Kuwait.
According to Iranian state TV, at least seven were killed in the strikes on the bridge, which are a key transit point for Iran's main port, Bandar Abbas.
Read more: Mural showing Trump family with flag-draped coffins displayed in Tehran in chilling warning to US
Both sides have exchanged strikes on a daily basis this week and on Friday, the US marines boarded a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz and another vessel was seized by armed men off Yemen.
Continued clashes over the contested Gulf waterway, which is vital to global energy supplies, have fuelled concerns of a return to a full-blown conflict.
Benchmark Brent crude oil prices surged by more than 3% LCOc1 to near $87 on Friday, the highest level since an interim agreement a month ago aimed at ending the war.
'This could get really ugly.'
— LBC (@LBC) July 17, 2026
Foreign relations expert David Wearing warns that Trump is stuck in 'an escalatory spiral' with Iran. pic.twitter.com/ahD40A8PbW
After labelling Iran's government as "scum", President Trump has threatened to launch broad-based air strikes on their infrastructure and has also declined to rule out a ground assault on its coast or islands.
On Wednesday, the world leader warned on Fox News that more strikes would be carried out against Iran and repeated his threat that bridges and power plants could be targeted unless talks resume.
In his message to Tehran, he said: "You better make a deal, or you’re not going to have anything left."
Majid Mousavi, aerospace chief for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said in a statement published by state media that Iran's strikes would continue until "peace is restored to the southern coastline and the strait of Hormuz".
The US administration confirmed it was in talks with Tehran, but that Trump would not allow ships to be fired on in the Strait of Hormuz without the regime "paying a consequence for that".
Despite the initial ceasefire deal with the US, known as the memorandum of understanding, Iran continued to exert leverage over the sea route by demanding ships seek permission to transit, raising the threat of future charges and attacking vessels.
Tehran claims it controls the channel, while this is disputed by the US and other countries, which cite international law on freedom of navigation.