US military launches seventh consecutive night of strikes in Iran, targets infrastructure

U.S. military launched strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive day at 3 p.m. ET on Friday. "The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities at the Commander in Chief's direction," U.S. Central Command wrote on X. The strikes follow a wave of overnight strikes that target Iran's infrastructure and bridges. They hit bridges in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, killing at least seven people, Iranian state television reported. The attacks struck Bandar Khamir, a city on Iran's coast along the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. strikes killed at least 38 people and wounded more than 400 in Iran, Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour said, as of 6 a.m on Friday. Iran retaliated with attacks on Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. An Iranian strike hit a power and water desalination plant, causing widespread damage. Since roughly 90% of Kuwait's drinking water comes from desalination, the strikes threaten the country's drinking supply. The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, also continues. On Friday, a tanker transiting the route closest to Oman in the Strait of Hormuz was attacked, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The agency said the vessel sustained minor damage and no crew members were injured.