With Washington widening its bombing campaign inside Iran and Tehran retaliating against Gulf states hosting US forces, the conflict is no longer confined to a bilateral military showdown but is evolving into a regional crisis with global economic implications.

After seven consecutive nights of US airstrikes, Washington has expanded its campaign to include bridges, ports, power infrastructure and transport corridors inside Iran. Tehran, in turn, has widened its retaliation by targeting Gulf countries hosting American military forces, including attacks on power and water facilities in Kuwait and missile launches towards Qatar and Bahrain.

The shift reflects a growing willingness on both sides to test long-standing red lines, raising fears that the conflict could become increasingly difficult to contain.

Infrastructure emerges as the new battlefield

The latest US strikes targeted bridges in Iran's Hormozgan province, routes linked to Bandar Abbas, power infrastructure and facilities at Chabahar Port, extending military operations beyond conventional defence installations.

American officials have argued that disrupting transport and logistics networks increases pressure on Tehran and weakens its ability to sustain military operations around the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has also repeatedly indicated that economic pressure and attacks on strategic assets are intended to force Iran to loosen its grip over the vital maritime corridor.

Iran has responded in kind. Kuwaiti authorities reported fresh attacks on power generation and water desalination facilities, while Bahrain and Qatar intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at locations hosting US military assets. Jordan also reported intercepting projectiles entering its airspace.

The targeting of civilian infrastructure marks a notable departure from earlier phases of the confrontation, where military bases, missile sites and proxy forces were the primary focus.

Hormuz becomes the conflict's strategic centre

At the heart of the escalating confrontation lies the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy chokepoints.

Since hostilities intensified, Iran has sought to tighten control over the narrow waterway, while the United States has responded with naval deployments and strikes aimed at weakening Tehran's operational capabilities. Shipping traffic through the strait has declined sharply as commercial vessels either delay transit or alter routes because of security concerns.

The consequences are already being felt beyond the region. Oil prices have climbed as fears of prolonged disruption to Gulf energy exports grow, while insurers and shipping companies are reassessing risks associated with operating in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.

The damage to desalination plants in Kuwait also highlights another emerging dimension of the conflict: attacks on infrastructure that directly supports civilian populations. In Gulf countries where desalination provides most drinking water, such facilities are as strategically important as oil terminals.