Iran Releases Photos of Civilians martyred in Hormozgan Strikes

Iran has released photographs of eight civilians it says were martyred in US strikes on bridges in Hormozgan province, part of the broader campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media identified the dead as four women and four men, including two brothers described as having disabilities.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei detailed the toll in a statement on X, saying American forces targeted bridges in Hormozgan overnight, killing eight what he called innocent Iranian civilians — four men and four women. His statement matches earlier reporting on strikes in the province that hit bridges, a railway station, and an airport near the strategic strait.

Publishing photographs of the dead marks a shift toward a more visible public information campaign around civilian casualties, a step governments in active conflicts often take to build international sympathy and pressure adversaries diplomatically. The specific mention of two disabled brothers among the dead appears aimed at reinforcing the civilian, non-combatant nature of the casualties in the public narrative Tehran is constructing around these strikes.

Baqaei framed the deaths within a broader message of national resolve, saying the Iranian people are more united and determined than ever, and are prepared to respond fully to aggression against their country. He added that Iran would not forget the attacks on its people and would continue all necessary measures to protect national interests — language consistent with the escalatory rhetoric Iranian officials have used throughout this seventh consecutive night of US strikes.

These casualty disclosures come as Iran’s Health Ministry separately reported a broader toll of at least 38 people killed and over 400 wounded since fighting resumed on June 22, suggesting the Hormozgan bridge strikes represent one specific incident within that larger, ongoing count rather than a separate or newly disclosed casualty event.

As with other casualty figures from this conflict, these details originate solely from Iranian government sources, without independent verification from international monitors or outside journalists with direct access to the affected areas. The photographs and identities of the dead have not been independently confirmed by outlets outside Iranian state media.

Whether this messaging shifts international pressure on Washington to scale back strikes, or hardens domestic and diplomatic resolve within Iran to continue retaliation, will likely become clearer as the conflict’s seventh consecutive night gives way to further exchanges in the days ahead.