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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BYD’s chip Xuanji A3 is displayed during the 2026 World AI Conference on July 17, 2026, in Shanghai, China. (Getty Images)