Bridges, Rails, Power: Iran’s Arteries Under Fire as Deadline Clock Ticks.
TEHRAN — Iranian officials reported widespread damage to critical infrastructure on Tuesday after a new wave of U.S.-Israeli airstrikes hit bridges, rail lines and power systems across the country, as a deadline set by Donald Trump for Tehran to accept terms to end the war approached.
Regional authorities said at least two bridges were struck, including one near the city of Qom and another carrying a railway line in Kashan. Local officials reported two people killed and three injured in the Kashan strike. A major highway linking Tabriz to Tehran was also shut down after an attack on an overpass, disrupting a key north–south transit route.
Additional damage was reported near Tehran, where strikes hit railway infrastructure in Karaj. Images circulated by state-linked media showed emergency responders evacuating casualties from the scene. Rail services to and from Mashhad, one of Iran’s largest cities, were suspended following Israeli warnings against using transport networks.
Power infrastructure was also affected. Iranian media reported outages in parts of Karaj and nearby Fardis after transmission lines and a substation were knocked offline, suggesting a broader targeting of energy systems alongside transport corridors.
The Israeli military said it had carried out a “broad wave” of strikes on infrastructure sites but did not specify targets. The pattern of attacks points to a coordinated effort to degrade Iran’s internal mobility and logistical capacity rather than focusing solely on military installations.
Trump has warned that failure to meet his deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reaching a deal could trigger wider strikes on Iranian infrastructure. His recent remarks have included explicit references to targeting power plants, transport networks and economic assets.
Rather than limiting operations to military facilities, the campaign is increasingly focused on systems that sustain the country’s economy and daily life. Disrupting transport routes, energy supply and communications infrastructure raises the cost of continued conflict for Iran’s leadership while also amplifying risks for civilians.
Efforts to force a diplomatic outcome are being pursued through the expansion of strikes that make negotiations more difficult. As pressure intensifies, both sides are escalating in ways that narrow the space for de-escalation.
With the deadline approaching and infrastructure increasingly in the crosshairs, the conflict is entering a phase where the distinction between battlefield and national system is rapidly eroding.
