Key facts
- US Central Command confirmed carrying out strikes on Iranian targets, including port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik.
- The stated aim of the strikes was to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iranian authorities reported at least 14 people killed and over 78 injured in the attacks over two days.
- Strikes also reportedly hit water storage facilities, affecting over 20,000 civilians.
- Residents described intense fear and uncertainty, with livelihoods dependent on fishing and maritime work.
Residents in southern Iran have described experiencing two nights of terror following recent US strikes on coastal communities, including the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik. US Central Command confirmed the attacks, stating their purpose was to 'further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the strait of Hormuz.'
For residents like Noor, a teacher living near the fishing pier in Posht-e Shahr, Bandar Abbas, the explosions around 1 a.m. were terrifying, with at least 10 back-to-back blasts heard, alongside potential sounds of air defenses. She expressed deep concern for fishermen preparing to go out to sea and noted that many more people had been injured and several killed in the recent strikes.
Iranian authorities reported that at least 14 people were killed and over 78 injured in the attacks over the past two days. The strikes also impacted Sirik, another port city, and reportedly hit two water storage facilities, exacerbating existing water shortages for more than 20,000 civilians. Mina, a 41-year-old mother of two, noted that these attacks compound yearly water crises, especially as temperatures exceed 45C.
Many families in the region rely on fishing and maritime work, making a decision to leave due to escalating conflict difficult. Residents expressed feelings of abandonment and uncertainty about the future, with fears of further internet shutdowns if the conflict intensifies. Mohsen, another resident, described feeling trapped in a cycle of despair and insecurity, questioning how to plan for their lives amidst the ongoing conflict.