Tracking recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure
Recent US-Israeli Strikes on Iranian Infrastructure
Donald Trump has vowed to strike Iran’s infrastructure unless an agreement is reached to end the conflict with the US and Israel by Tuesday night. The former president warned that the country would face a “Stone Age” level of destruction if talks failed, stating that US forces would focus on critical sites like bridges and power plants. His comments were accompanied by social media posts that hinted at a “civilization-ending” strike if no deal materialized.
Over the past two weeks, multiple attacks on Iran’s essential infrastructure have been confirmed. These strikes, which have damaged schools and hospitals, have targeted at least two steel plants, three bridges, and a pharmaceutical facility. BBC Verify has verified these incidents, highlighting the growing impact on everyday Iranians. However, Trump dismissed concerns from some senior Democrats and UN officials during a Monday news conference, downplaying the potential for war crimes.
Karaj Bridge Attack
On Thursday, US aircraft bombed a bridge under construction in Karaj, a central city. Local officials reported at least 13 casualties, with footage confirming two strikes. The aftermath showed a significant gap in the bridge, flanked by construction cranes. Trump later shared the footage online, claiming:
“The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again,”
and added that “much more to follow.”
The attacks on steel manufacturing facilities have raised alarm. On March 27, verified images captured smoke rising from the Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel Company, a major producer in Iran. The plant contributed approximately $860m to the country’s economy between March 2025 and January 2026. Satellite imagery also revealed damage at the Khuzestan Steel Company, Iran’s second-largest steelmaker. Repair efforts could take up to a year, according to local officials.
Economic and Medical Impacts
Arman Mahmoudian, a research fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute, warned that the destruction could severely affect Iran’s economy. He stated:
“Steel is a cornerstone of Iran’s non-oil economic capacity,”
emphasizing that a 70% disruption in steel production could jeopardize nearly 20 million tons of output, potentially reducing 3–3.5% of the nation’s GDP.
Pharmaceutical facilities have also been hit. On March 31, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have struck the Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, one of Iran’s largest producers of anaesthetic and cancer drugs. The IDF alleged the company had exported chemical substances, including fentanyl, for weapon development. While the BBC cannot independently verify this claim, the strike has raised concerns about medicine access and Tehran’s medical independence.
Damage to educational and religious sites has added to the toll. Images from Saturday showed debris around the Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, with parts of the building destroyed. On Monday, similar damage was reported at the Sharif University of Technology. In Zanjan, an attack left sections of the Husseinya Mosque damaged, killing two people and destroying a clinic and library within the complex.
Additionally, Israeli forces reported bombing 10 “key” components of Iran’s railway network on Tuesday. Verified footage from Aminabad village depicted a collapsed railway bridge, while a video from the Iranian Red Crescent confirmed the strikes’ impact on the country’s transportation systems.
