Rebeccah Heinrichs examines why the United States is striking deeper into southern Iran. She also discusses the strategic importance of Chabahar, Bandar Abbas, and Iran’s southern transport network. She unpacks whether the attacks are focused solely on weakening Tehran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, or signal a broader US military strategy.
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Black smoke rises from the area of Gazprom Neft’s Moscow oil refinery on the southeastern outskirts of Moscow on June 18, 2026. (Getty Images)