The motorway bridge known as “B1” was bombed twice within a short period of time on Thursday. It was part of the commuter route between the large city of Karaj and the overcrowded metropolis and capital Tehran. It is also located at a transport hub towards the Caspian Sea, a popular travel destination. With a height of 132 meters, it was the highest bridge in Iran. A section was still under construction.
According to Iranian media, the second attack on the bridge west of the capital Tehran occurred while rescue workers were on site. Videos on social media also showed dark gray clouds of smoke after the rocket hits and bridge elements collapsing. According to the Isna news agency, at least eight people were killed in the air strikes and 97 others were injured. The power on the road to the north went out as a result of the attacks.
US sources speak of the bridge as an alleged supply route
Trump’s post left little doubt that the US military deliberately attacked the bridge – part of the country’s civilian infrastructure. The New York Times reported, citing a military representative, that US forces had thereby prevented a planned military supply route. The Wall Street Journal quoted a senior US official as saying that the attack was part of a broader US effort to disrupt military supply routes. So should Iran prevented from distributing ballistic missile and drone parts to units across the country. The US information could not be independently verified.
(sda/lak)