In Iran, Bridge Destroyed After Airstrike as Trump Promises 'Extremely Strong Blow'

On Thursday, April 2, an airstrike in Iran resulted in the partial destruction of a key highway bridge on the northern bypass road of Karaj, which serves as a vital connection to Tehran. This incident was reported by the renowned international news outlet The Guardian, highlighting the seriousness of the situation in the region.

The airstrikes occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to deliver an 'extremely strong blow' to Iran within the next two to three weeks. Trump stated that he would 'bring them back to the Stone Age, where they belong,' a comment that has generated significant international backlash.

The bridge, known as B1, spans approximately 500 meters and was completed in early 2026. Iranian propaganda hailed it as one of the largest in Western Asia, emphasizing that it was constructed under the pressure of sanctions without the use of foreign technology. This bridge crosses the Karaj River valley above the Beylkan reservoir and is designed to handle up to 60,000 vehicles per day.

According to the Iranian news site Press TV, the construction cost of the bridge was around $400 million. In addition to the transportation infrastructure, the country's industrial sector has also been affected by the airstrikes. Two of Iran's largest steel companies—Khuzestan Steel Company in Ahvaz and Mobarakeh Steel Company in the central province of Isfahan—reported damages resulting from a series of U.S.-Israeli strikes, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Following the airstrike, Trump commented on the destruction of the bridge on his social media platform Truth Social. He wrote, 'The largest bridge in Iran has collapsed and will never be used again. More to come! There is still time to make a deal before it’s too late. Otherwise, nothing will remain of what could still be a great country!'

On April 1, Trump also noted on his social media that the Iranian president had reached out to the United States requesting a ceasefire, but Washington would only consider this after the Strait of Hormuz was opened. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry later refuted Trump's claims, stating that no such request had been made.

On March 31, it was reported that the third U.S. aircraft carrier, USS George HW Bush, along with accompanying ships, was heading to the Middle East. Earlier media reports had suggested that the U.S. was preparing for a potential ground operation in Iran, raising tensions in the region.

On March 24, the Israeli publication Ynet reported that Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had agreed to negotiations with the U.S. This was an unexpected move, as Tehran had previously dismissed statements regarding any direct talks with Washington. The Iranian Foreign Ministry had even labeled claims of 'productive dialogue' as false.

It is noteworthy that on March 25, The New York Times, citing diplomatic sources, reported that the U.S. had sent Iran a 15-point plan for ending the war in the Middle East through Pakistan. Sources claimed that the key provisions of the American plan pertained to Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

The Iranian regime proposed its own ceasefire, demanding military reparations and the preservation of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. On March 26, Trump announced that he had postponed strikes on Iranian energy facilities for ten days, until Monday, April 6, at Tehran's request. This situation indicates an escalation of conflict and heightened tensions in U.S.-Iran relations.