Tracking recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure
Tracking recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure
US and Israeli forces have intensified attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure, with recent strikes targeting bridges, steel plants, and pharmaceutical facilities. The conflict has already left schools and hospitals in ruins, disrupting daily life for many Iranians. BBC Verify confirmed that at least two steel production sites, three bridges, and one medical facility were hit in the past two weeks. These strikes have drawn warnings from UN officials and some Democratic lawmakers, who fear they could constitute war crimes.
On Thursday, US military aircraft struck a bridge under construction in Karaj, a central city in Iran. Local authorities reported at least 13 casualties, with verified footage showing two separate hits. The damage left a visible gap in the structure, and cranes stood on either side as evidence of the destruction. Trump later shared the video online, declaring that “the biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again” and hinting at further strikes.
“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. “If Israeli strikes have indeed dismantled around 70% of Iran’s steel production capability, this would place nearly 20 million tons of output at risk, potentially affecting around 3–3.5% of Iran’s GDP.”
Steel facilities have been a key focus. Verified footage from March 27 showed smoke rising from the Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel Company, Iran’s largest producer. The plant, which generated $860m in exports between March 2025 and January 2026, faces a year of repairs due to the damage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attacks crippled 70% of Iran’s steel manufacturing capacity.
Pharmaceutical targets also emerged. On March 31, an IDF spokesperson announced a strike on Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, one of Iran’s major drug manufacturers. The attack reportedly destroyed facilities producing anaesthetic and cancer treatments. The IDF alleged the company had been supplying chemical substances, including fentanyl, for weapon development. The BBC has not independently confirmed this claim.
Other infrastructure has suffered as well. Images revealed debris around Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, with parts of the building damaged after an attack. Similarly, a strike on the capital left the Sharif University of Technology in ruins. Religious sites were not spared—photos showed sections of the Husseinya Mosque in Zanjan partially destroyed, with a clinic and library within the complex lost. The IDF also claimed to have bombed 10 “key” railway components, including a collapsed bridge in Aminabad village.