By Louay Faour

 

TEHRAN, 18 July. - (ANA) - The US destroyed several bridges in southern Iran earlier this week as fighting between the two intensified, raising fears of another full-fledged war.

 

As it intensifies its attacks on Iran, the United States destroyed at least six bridges overnight between Thursday and Friday - the first such strikes since April - in attacks Washington says were intended to cut off military supply routes.

 

The fighting has continued for almost a week and marks the worst escalation since Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire more than three months ago, and the MoU reached between the two sides in June. US President Donald Trump has said he believes that memorandum to be over.

 

 

 

 

All six bridges damaged or completely cut off in the attacks were in Hormozgan province, specifically in Bandar Khamir County, west of Bandar Abbas, according to the Hormozgan provincial authorities.

 

What makes these routes significant is that they form the road network in Bandar Abbas, where Iran’s largest commercial port and a major naval base used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are located.

 

The bridges also connect Bandar Abbas with Lar and other areas deeper inside Iran.

 

As well as being civilian infrastructure, the bridges also support commercial traffic connecting to the Strait of Hormuz – the vital waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, and which has been at the heart of the US-Iran conflict.

 

Earlier this month, US strikes damaged the Aq Taqeh Khan railway bridge in Golestan province, a key rail link connecting Iran with China and Russia through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

 

The United States has justified targeting these bridges and other infrastructure by saying it was intended to disrupt supply routes that Washington claims Iran uses to support drone attacks on vessels transiting Hormuz. The US has also tightened its naval blockade and continues to intercept ships attempting to reach Iranian ports.

 

So, which bridges were recently bombed and why do they matter?

 

 

 

 

Located in the Kahurestan area, this bridge sits on one of the main road corridors linking Bandar Abbas with inland Hormozgan and Fars provinces. Disrupting it can hinder civilian and commercial traffic moving to and from Bandar Abbas.

 

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported multiple fatalities when a vehicle fell off the bridge following a strike.

 

 

 

 

This bridge lies on the Bandar Abbas–Bandar Khamir–Lar highway, a major east-west transport route. It facilitates the movement of people and goods between the Gulf coast and southern Iran's interior, making it an important logistical crossing.

 

 

 

 

Near the village of Latidan, this bridge carries traffic along the same coastal transport corridor west of Bandar Abbas. It provides an alternative crossing on the route between Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir, supporting regional road connectivity.

 

 

 

 

These smaller bridges form part of the highway linking Bandar Abbas to Lar in the neighbouring Fars province. They both help maintain continuous traffic flow on one of southern Iran’s main road links connecting the coast with inland towns and cities.

 

 

 

 

One bridge that was hit was under construction on the Bandar Khamir-Keshar-Bandar Abbas road. While not yet operational, it was intended to improve transport capacity and reduce congestion on routes serving western Hormozgan.

 

 

 

 

This bridge serves villages in Bandar Khamir County and links local communities to the wider road network leading to Bandar Abbas. Although less strategically significant than the highway crossings, it remains important for local transport and access.

 

 

 

 

In addition to the strikes on bridges, US attacks have targeted Iranian islands in the Gulf where strategic military and energy assets are located, as well as airports on mainland Iran.

 

A strike hit the Iranshahr Airport, located in the southeast Sistan and Baluchistan province and a major regional aviation facility.

 

The Chabahar Maritime Traffic Control Radar was destroyed too. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a picture of the destroyed tower on X.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/18 July 2026 - - -