The US-Iran standoff has entered a new phase: Washington is gradually widening the geography of strikes on Iranian territory. If at first the attacks were focused on the southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz, they are now increasingly hitting targets deep inside the country. At the same time, the nature of the targets is changing as well — shifting from direct US military-sea capabilities to pinpoint attacks on the logistical and economic infrastructure that supports Tehran’s military operations. Iran, in turn, responds with attacks on American assets in Persian Gulf countries and Jordan, warning that it may expand the zone of impact even further.
The escalation began after Iran attacked commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in early July. The US response was swift and harsh: the first strikes hit naval bases in Hormozgan Province — the port of Bandar Abbas, the islands of Qeshm and Abu Musa. Officially, Washington said the goal was to “limit Iran’s ability to threaten shipping.” However, soon American forces moved closer to Khark Island, which is a key node for exporting Iranian oil. Earlier, Donald Trump had hinted at the possibility of seizing the island as an “economic lever” to pressure Tehran.
In the following days, the number of daily targets surged sharply — from 80 to 140 — and the strike geography extended far beyond the coastline. The bombardments did not only target naval bases and dry docks, but also drone warehouses, command centers, bridges, and railways connecting Iranian ports with inland areas. For the first time in the conflict, US forces used self-guided mine craft to hit targets in Bandar Abbas. Such tactics, according to experts, point to an effort not merely to weaken Iran’s combat readiness, but to fully undermine its mobility and economic resilience.
The climax of the escalation came in the form of a threat to strike the nuclear facility of Jabal al-Fass, located near Natanz. The facility is embedded in granite rock, and previously Iran had not allowed IAEA inspectors to access it. Trump said the site is “under observation by American cameras,” and warned that he would expand the list of targets to include power plants and bridges if Tehran did not agree to negotiations. Such rhetoric echoes earlier episodes of the conflict, when strikes on infrastructure were used as a means of pressure.
Despite Trump’s statements that the US has no plans to send ground troops into Iran, an analytical report discusses the possibility of a limited ground operation — possibly by allies. Notably, the president notified Congress about the resumption of military action, which triggered a countdown of the 60-day period provided for under the War Powers Act. This means that over the next two months the scale of strikes may either increase or shift to the diplomatic track.
Behind all this escalation lies a dramatic political backdrop. On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum on a ceasefire and the start of talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at ending the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran at the end of February. However, the fragile truce collapsed on July 7, when Iran attacked three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on the pretext of violating the route. The next day, Trump announced the termination of the truce and carried out new strikes on Iranian territory. Thus, the conflict is once again caught in a vicious cycle of mutual strikes and ultimatums.
Comments on the news
- Why is Khark Island considered a key hub for Iranian oil exports, and what volume of oil passes through it? How would its possible seizure or destruction affect Iran’s economy? — Khark Island is Iran’s largest oil terminal, through which about 90% of the country’s crude oil exports pass. The daily throughput amounts to between 2 and 2.5 million barrels. Seizing or destroying the facility would deprive Iran of its main source of foreign-currency revenues, lead to a collapse of oil exports, destabilize the national currency, and drive a sharp rise in inflation — which could trigger an acute economic crisis.
- What is the Jabal al-Fass nuclear site near Natanz, and why does Iran refuse to allow IAEA inspectors there? What suspicions are associated with the facility? — The Jabal al-Fass site is located in a mountain range near Natanz and, according to satellite imagery, contains underground tunnels and equipment. Iran refuses to allow IAEA inspectors on the grounds that it is not a nuclear facility, but merely a storage or logistics complex. The suspicions are linked to the possibility of uranium enrichment work there or the storage of equipment hidden from international oversight, which may indicate a covert military nuclear program.
- Why did Pakistan and Qatar become mediators in talks between the US and Iran, and what are their motivations in this conflict? — Pakistan is seeking to strengthen its status as a regional mediator: it has historical ties with Saudi Arabia (a US ally) while also maintaining diplomatic contacts with Iran, which allows it to balance between the parties. Qatar is interested in reducing tensions, since stability in the Persian Gulf is critical to its economy (LNG exports), and it has already successfully served as a mediator in previous US-Iran contacts. Both players also aim to increase their international influence and secure political dividends.
Full version: من السواحل إلى منشآت العمق.. خريطة توسع بنك الأهداف الأمريكية داخل إيران