US Expands Airstrikes in Iran, Hitting Airports, Railways, and Bridges; Civilian Facilities Under Threat

As the armed conflict between the United States and Iran enters its seventh day, civilian facilities in Iran, including airports and railways, were reported to have been struck overnight.

According to AFP, Iranian state media reported that Iranshahr Airport, a railway in Bandar Abbas, and two bridges near the Strait of Hormuz were hit by U.S. military strikes overnight on July 17, local time.

Iran's state-run IRIB broadcaster reported via Telegram that "three explosions were heard around the airport, and at least one U.S. projectile struck Iranshahr Airport."

The Iranian Mehr News Agency also reported on Telegram that "the railway station in Bandar Abbas was targeted by a U.S. attack a few minutes ago, resulting in two injuries."

Other reports indicate that two bridges in Hormozgan Province were also attacked, leaving two people dead and four injured.

The United States had pursued a diplomatic solution after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities with Iran last month. However, over the past week, the U.S. has effectively moved away from the MOU, escalating physical clashes to their highest level over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. launched airstrikes on the southern region for two days starting July 8, holding Iran responsible for attacking a merchant ship that had deviated from a U.S.-designated route while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, Iran retaliated against U.S. military base facilities in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Since then, the U.S. has been expanding the scope of its airstrikes for seven days starting July 11, alleging that Iran attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Some analysts suggest that the U.S. has abruptly expanded the scope of its airstrikes to the outskirts of Tehran, the Iranian capital, and deeper into the country's interior.

Amid these developments, propaganda depicting U.S. President Donald Trump lying in a coffin has appeared in squares in Tehran.

According to The Telegraph, a large billboard installed at Enghelab Square in central Tehran features an image of President Trump lying in a black coffin.

Below the image of President Trump, who is shown with disheveled hair and his hands resting on his protruding belly inside the coffin, are the words "We will kill Trump" written in both Persian and English.

In Palestine Square, another piece of propaganda has appeared, featuring a backdrop of the White House with portraits of First Lady Melania, daughter Ivanka, and son Eric hanging above a coffin draped with an American flag.

The mural bears the inscription, "Blood for blood."

In Iran, calls for revenge against President Trump and others have been mounting since the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. airstrikes, was held on the 4th.

Hardline voices are growing louder, with the new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba, who succeeded his father, vowing "bloody revenge" in a written message following the funeral.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.