US military forces have resumed strikes on strategic infrastructure in Iranian territory. Against the backdrop of mounting threats to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Washington has resumed military operations; this step has effectively broken the ceasefire that existed between the parties and has escalated tensions in the Middle East to a new level.
Missile strikes on Golestan bridges
According to information released by journalist Barak Ravid, US military aircraft fired air-to-ground missiles at two railway bridges located in northern Iran. One of the targets is in the area of Golestan city in the northwest, near the Turkmenistan border. Sources report that this is the first strike the US has delivered against Iranian infrastructure since April 8. Earlier, agreements reached between the US and Iran had been temporarily suspended.
Military preparations intensify in the region
Washington is simultaneously increasing its military presence in the region. Refueling aircraft previously sent to Europe have been recalled and are being deployed to bases in the Middle East, including Israel. Observers view this step as a signal of preparation for long-term operations in the region. The White House has also reportedly given serious consideration to the likelihood that the confrontation will not be resolved in the short term.
Everything depends on Tehran's next move
According to Axios, US officials have directly tied both the duration and scale of the new military campaign to the steps Tehran will take. According to their assessment, the confrontation could last days, weeks, or even months. The course of the process will depend on whether Iran stops or continues its attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. A source in the US government described the situation this way:
We want to show them we are not joking.
Recall that before these incidents, there were also reports of Iran attacking US military bases in the region. The current dynamic suggests that the escalation between Washington and Tehran could move into a phase of large-scale military confrontation.