US strikes widen across southern Iran; Qeshm Island and the Bandar Abbas highway artery hit

As the United States pressed a seventh straight night of strikes on Iran, the attacks widened across the south of the country early on Saturday, July 18, 2026. According to Iran's state news agency, overnight strikes damaged two tunnels and a bridge along one of the main highways toward Bandar Abbas, disrupting traffic on that key artery; Bandar Abbas sits near the narrowest point of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran also reported a strike on the strategic Qeshm Island inside the strait. The targeted areas in the south were reported to include Ahvaz, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Dashti, Bostan, Sirik and Bandar-e Lengeh. US Central Command had earlier said this phase hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage and maritime capabilities.

The strikes' proximity to Bandar Abbas and the Strait of Hormuz deepens concerns over further disruption to the region's exports and maritime traffic.