Day: March 25, 2026

MORE: Satellite imagery from March 22 shows that the combined force has inflicted substantial damage to Iranian naval and air infrastructure in the Nazeat Islands near the Strait of Hormuz as part of its effort to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping.

The Nazeat Islands, which include the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Abu Musa, and Siri islands, are strategically located along key maritime approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. US strikes damaged or destroyed communications infrastructure, fuel depots, maintenance facilities, an aircraft hangar, and port facilities on Greater Tunb Island, according to commercially available satellite imagery, an OSINT account, and an Israeli think tank.

Imagery from March 22 shows extensive damage to the island’s port, including strikes on berths, nearby buildings, and many docked fast attack craft. US strikes also targeted facilities that support a “vast network of underground bunkers,” according to the Israeli think tank. The think tank reported that these bunkers store anti-ship cruise missiles and other weapons that Iran can use to threaten shipping.

US strikes also targeted an aircraft hangar and a nearby vehicle repair building at Greater Tunb Island’s airbase but did not target the runway itself, unlike other combined force strikes on Iranian airbases. The lack of strikes on the runway may suggest that the US strikes were focused on degrading specific operational capabilities, such as drone operations or aircraft maintenance, rather than rendering the airfield unusable. The cumulative damage to communications, port, and airfield infrastructure has likely degraded Iran’s ability to coordinate and sustain maritime operations from Greater Tunb Island.  Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)NEW | Evening Iran Update 🧵(1/5)⬇️

Iran is reportedly requiring some vessels to pay a fee to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime intelligence company Lloyd’s List reported on March 23 that over 20 vessels have taken a “Tehran-approved route” to transit the Strait of Hormuz through Iranian territorial waters since the war began. Lloyd’s List reported that at least two vessels, including a Chinese state-owned feeder tanker, have paid Iran a fee in exchange for safe passage through the strait.—  https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/2036645655100219536

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) Mar 25, 2026