Latest Update on Southern Iran’s Roads Following U.S. Airstrikes
WANA (Jul 18) – Following recent U.S. airstrikes targeting transportation infrastructure in southern Iran, several major roads in Hormozgan Province have sustained damage, disrupting traffic on key routes. Repair operations are underway, and authorities have begun reopening alternative routes and restoring transportation services.
According to Brigadier General Ahmad Karami Asad, Chief of Iran’s Traffic Police, recent attacks on roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure in Hormozgan Province, along with additional damage caused in the early hours today, have temporarily closed parts of the province’s main exit routes toward Fars and Kerman provinces.
The Bandar Abbas–Bandar Khamir–Lar highway and the Bandar Abbas–Hajiabad–Kerman route are among the roads affected by the strikes. In today’s attack, two tunnels near the Shahid Mirzaei checkpoint—commonly known as the “Gateway”—as well as a nearby bridge, suffered significant damage, disrupting traffic along one of southern Iran’s most important transportation corridors.
Authorities have opened a temporary alternative route for passenger vehicles traveling from Bandar Abbas toward Fars and Kerman. However, heavy trucks are still prohibited from using the route until repair work and safety assessments are completed.
Brigadier General Karami Asad said officials expect at least one lane of the damaged roadway to reopen within the coming hours. Although both directions may not be fully operational initially, two-way traffic will resume under traffic management once a single lane is restored.
Field reports indicate that both Shahid Mirzaei tunnels, which serve as the northern entrance and exit to Bandar Abbas, sustained extensive damage in the airstrikes. Road maintenance crews and heavy machinery remain on site, working to clear debris and reopen the tunnels as quickly as possible for light vehicle traffic.
Meanwhile, authorities have announced that the alternative Rodan–Bandar Abbas route has been reopened, providing another option for motorists. In addition, rail services to Bandar Abbas, which had been suspended following the July 17 U.S. airstrike, have resumed, restoring rail connectivity to the strategic southern port city. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to normalize transportation and reduce disruptions across southern Iran.
The Hidden Strategy Behind U.S. Strikes on Iran’s Bridges
WANA (Jul 18) – Until just a few days ago, U.S. strikes were largely focused on targets directly linked to Iran’s military capabilities, including naval facilities, military infrastructure, weapons systems, and logistical support sites. The recent attacks on bridges and transportation routes in southern Iran—particularly those connecting to Hormozgan Province—however, suggest a notable shift in […]
