Tracking recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure

Recent US-Israeli Strikes on Iranian Infrastructure

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced plans to strike vital infrastructure across Iran unless a peace agreement with the US and Israel is finalized by nightfall. He warned that US forces would demolish bridges and power plants, labeling the action as a means to “reduce the nation to its prehistoric state.” Trump also posted on social media, stating that “a full civilization will perish tonight” if negotiations fail.

Since the conflict began, Iranian civilian infrastructure—including schools and hospitals—has faced repeated assaults. BBC Verify confirmed that US and Israeli airstrikes have damaged at least two steel manufacturing plants, three bridges, and a pharmaceutical facility in recent weeks. While some US Congress members and UN representatives raised concerns about potential war crimes, Trump downplayed the warnings during a Monday press briefing.

Bridge Attack in Karaj

In the central city of Karaj, a US-led strike hit a bridge under construction, killing at least 13 individuals, according to local authorities. Verified footage revealed two explosions targeting the structure, leaving a significant gap in its framework. Construction cranes remained visible, underscoring the scale of the destruction. Trump later shared the footage online, claiming, “The largest bridge in Iran collapses, never to be used again,” while hinting at further attacks.

“Steel is a cornerstone of Iran’s non-oil economic capacity,” said Arman Mahmoudian, a research fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute. He estimated that Israeli strikes could endanger nearly 20 million tons of steel production, representing 3–3.5% of the country’s GDP.

Steel facilities have been a primary focus. On March 27, smoke was seen rising from the Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel Company, one of Iran’s largest producers. Workers halted operations temporarily, and satellite images confirmed damage at the Khuzestan Steel Company. Repair efforts could take up to a year, according to local officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attacks disrupted 70% of Iran’s steel manufacturing capacity.

Pharmaceutical Strikes

A pharmaceutical plant in Iran was targeted on March 31, as reported by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The strike hit the Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, which supplies anaesthetic and cancer drugs. The IDF claimed the facility had been exporting chemical substances, including fentanyl, used in developing chemical weapons. However, the BBC could not independently confirm this assertion.

The impact on Iran’s healthcare system could be severe, as Mahmoudian pointed out. Though pharmaceuticals constitute a smaller portion of the economy, strikes on this sector threaten access to essential medicines. Iranian media previously claimed over 90% of drugs are domestically produced, but BBC Verify has not verified this claim.

Education and Religious Sites

Verified images show severe damage to educational institutions. Debris surrounded the Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran after an attack, with parts of the building destroyed. Similar destruction was reported at the Sharif University of Technology following strikes on the capital. Religious sites have also been hit, including the Husseinya Mosque in Zanjan, where an attack damaged sections of the structure and killed two people. The complex also included a clinic and library.

Meanwhile, the IDF claimed it bombed 10 “strategic” points of Iran’s railway network. A video from Aminabad village confirmed a railway bridge collapsed due to the strikes, while another video shared by the Iranian Red Crescent showed paramedics responding to the aftermath.