Not Just Random Bombing! Here's Why the US is Attacking Iran's Ports and Bridges

United States President Donald Trump has again threatened to expand strikes against Iran to target the country’s critical infrastructure. Trump stated that any Iranian attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz would be met with the destruction of a bridge or power plant, including facilities near Tehran. The threat comes as US targets have broadened beyond command centres, missiles, drones, and air defences to include bridges, railway lines, airports, communication networks, and water facilities. Most of these strikes are concentrated in southern Iran, particularly Hormozgan province and the area around the Strait of Hormuz. This southern focus is not arbitrary; the region is the nexus of Iran’s military power, trade routes, oil exports, and its ability to disrupt shipping in the strait. Southern Iran is not merely a coastal area; it provides Tehran with its greatest leverage against the US and Gulf states. Geographically, the region stretches along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with the Strait of Hormuz between them. Iran controls the entire northern side of this narrow passage, allowing it to monitor ships moving from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Iran’s power in the area is centred on Bandar Abbas, which hosts both the regular navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fleet, forming the backbone of its maritime operations. From this hub, Iran can deploy warships, armed speedboats, anti-ship missiles, drones, and surveillance equipment. Nearby islands like Qeshm provide close-range monitoring positions. Consequently, US strikes have repeatedly targeted Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Sirik, Jask, and Bandar-e Lengeh to reduce Iran’s ability to detect and attack vessels. Beyond military assets, Bandar Abbas is a vital commercial port, and the Strait of Hormuz is the primary route for over 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. By damaging naval bases and severing transport links, Washington can simultaneously pressure Iran’s military capabilities and its economy. The bombing of bridges is a key part of this strategy. Iran’s coastal operations depend on supplies, reinforcements, and equipment transported from the interior via roads, railways, and airports. Destroying bridges disrupts these logistics, forcing longer, slower, and more costly alternative routes. At least six bridges in Hormozgan province have been hit, including those on routes connecting Bandar Abbas to surrounding cities and central Iran. Analysts note that targeting these logistical arteries weakens Iran’s ability to sustain operations in the Strait of Hormuz and resupply its coastal forces, even without destroying the bases themselves. Explosions have been reported in Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, Qeshm, Bushehr, Dashti, Bostan, Sirik, and Bandar-e Lengeh, with Bandar Abbas suffering particularly heavy damage to bridges, residential areas, and railway facilities.