The U.S. military has been actively targeting Iran for a week, launching strikes that officials say aim to weaken Tehran’s military capabilities. These strikes began a week ago and have expanded recently, hitting locations across Iran.

On Thursday, the U.S. military attacked targets on Iran’s southern coast, with operations including the destruction of bridges near Bandar Abbas, a crucial port city. The assault continued into Friday morning, targeting additional bridges and energy facilities.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has retaliated, striking U.S. bases in the Gulf region, including sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The IRGC also claimed to have targeted a U.S. command center at the al-Tanf garrison in Syria, which U.S. Central Command denied.

Further escalating tensions, Iran has launched drones and missiles at its Gulf neighbors, including Qatar and Kuwait. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy is maintaining a naval blockade, exemplified by the interdiction of the oil tanker M/T Wen Yao by U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit on Thursday.

President Trump asserted on Thursday evening the U.S. was prevailing in Iran, suggesting imminent positive outcomes from these actions.

This information is part of The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, curated by Ellen Mitchell, delivering updates about military developments and related policy decisions.

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