US strikes against Iran are beginning to move beyond military targets and towards infrastructure linked to the country’s economy and transport networks, according to Michael Mulroy, an ABC News national security and defence analyst and former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East.
Speaking to Arabi21, Mulroy warned that the scope of the operations could widen further in the coming period as Washington seeks to increase pressure on the Iranian government.
Bandar Abbas Seen as a Strategic Economic Target
Mulroy said the port of Bandar Abbas is a vital centre for the Iranian economy, handling a significant share of the country’s imports, exports and container traffic.
He warned that any strike against such a facility would have far-reaching consequences for Iran’s commercial and logistical capacity.
According to Mulroy, future attacks could also target bridges and railway junctions. He said these sites are increasingly being incorporated into a strategy aimed at tightening pressure on the Iranian government rather than limiting the campaign to military installations.
Possible Iranian Response Across the Region
The US analyst said Tehran would likely respond by targeting infrastructure in neighbouring countries.
He also suggested that Iran could use the Houthi group in Yemen to intensify pressure on international shipping through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Mulroy warned that such escalation could affect global energy markets by raising oil and gas costs as maritime supply routes and commercial shipping face greater risks.
He said the current confrontation does not appear close to ending, adding that the escalation is “unlikely to end any time soon” as strikes and threats continue to be exchanged between the parties involved.
