Lead

Iran has accused the United States of bombing civilian infrastructure in its latest wave of airstrikes, as the two countries continue to trade attacks following the collapse of a ceasefire last month. Iranian state media reported that bridges, a train station, and an airport were among the sites hit, and officials said the strikes have killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds, with new casualties reported on Friday.

The strikes are part of US President Donald Trump’s threat to start hitting infrastructure in order to pressure Tehran to ease its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Africa News. Iran has responded by launching new missile attacks against US-allied nations in the Middle East, including Qatar, a key mediator in the war, and damaged a power and water desalination plant in Kuwait, which is crucial infrastructure in the desert nation.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the escalation varies in emphasis. Africa News focused on Iran’s accusations and the human toll, noting that dozens were killed and hundreds wounded. Al Jazeera framed the strikes within the context of an expanded US military campaign and raised questions about international law, reporting that a railway station and residential neighbourhoods were hit, and that bridges, water facilities, food silos, and other civilian infrastructure have come under attack. TASS — English highlighted the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman’s condemnation, comparing the US strikes to the tactics of the Islamic State terrorist organization.

All three outlets agree that the US has conducted airstrikes on Iranian territory, including sites that Iran describes as civilian infrastructure, and that the strikes are part of a broader conflict over the Strait of Hormuz. They also report that President Trump had previously threatened to target infrastructure, and that Iran has responded with missile attacks on US-allied nations.

Key claims

  • Iran accused the US of bombing civilian infrastructure in its latest wave of airstrikes, as reported by Africa News and Al Jazeera.
  • Bridges, a train station, and an airport were among the sites hit, according to Iranian state media, as reported by Africa News. Al Jazeera also reported a railway station and residential neighbourhoods were hit, along with bridges, water facilities, food silos, and other civilian infrastructure.
  • Dozens of people were killed and hundreds wounded in the strikes, according to Iranian officials, as reported by Africa News.
  • US President Donald Trump threatened to hit infrastructure to pressure Tehran, as reported by Africa News and Al Jazeera.
  • Iran responded with missile attacks against US-allied nations, including Qatar, and damaged a power and water desalination plant in Kuwait, as reported by Africa News.
  • The US has expanded its military campaign against Iran, targeting civilian infrastructure, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the US strikes, including on civilian infrastructure, resemble tactics used by the Islamic State terrorist organization, as reported by TASS — English.
  • The renewed conflict has again cut off global energy supplies from the Middle East, as reported by Africa News.

Perspectives

Iran

Iranian officials, including Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, have condemned the US strikes, describing them as targeting civilian infrastructure and comparing them to the tactics of the Islamic State terrorist organization. Iran has also responded militarily, launching missile attacks against US-allied nations in the region.

United States

US President Donald Trump has threatened to hit infrastructure to pressure Tehran, and the US has continued airstrikes as part of an expanded military campaign. The US has also resumed a naval blockade of vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports, according to Al Jazeera.

International law concerns

Al Jazeera reported that the strikes on civilian infrastructure raise questions about international law, though no specific legal analysis or official statements were included in the provided material.