Tracking recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure
US-Israeli Strikes Target Iranian Infrastructure
Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, announced plans to strike Iran’s infrastructure unless a deal is reached to end hostilities with the country and Israel by Tuesday night. He vowed to “bomb the nation back to the Stone Ages,” emphasizing attacks on bridges, power plants, and other vital structures. In a social media post, he warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if negotiations fail. This escalation follows a pattern of assaults on Iran’s critical facilities, including schools and hospitals, since the conflict began.
Recent strikes have left a visible mark on Iran’s infrastructure, with verified footage and reports documenting damage. On Thursday, U.S. aircraft targeted a bridge under construction in Karaj, central Iran, killing at least 13 individuals. BBC Verify confirmed two strikes on the site, revealing a large gap in the structure and cranes on either side. Trump later shared the footage online, declaring that the “biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again,” hinting at further operations.
Economic Impact of the Attacks
Steel manufacturing facilities have also been hit. On March 27, smoke was seen rising from the Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel company, a key producer in Iran. The plant, which exported approximately $860 million between March 2025 and January 2026, reported operational halts. Satellite images showed damage at the Khuzestan Steel Company as well, the second-largest manufacturer. Local officials estimated repairs could take up to a year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strikes disrupted 70% of Iran’s steel production capacity.
“Steel is a cornerstone of Iran’s non-oil economic capacity. If Israeli strikes have indeed dismantled around 70% of its steel production, nearly 20 million tons of output could be at risk, possibly affecting 3–3.5% of the country’s GDP.”
Arman Mahmoudian, a research fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute, highlighted the potential economic consequences. He also warned that attacks on the pharmaceutical sector could strain Iran’s healthcare system. On March 31, the IDF stated it had bombed the Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, one of Iran’s largest drug producers, alleging the facility used chemical substances like fentanyl for weapon development. The BBC could not independently verify this claim.
Damage to Educational and Religious Sites
Verified images and footage suggest heavy damage to educational institutions. On Saturday, debris surrounded the exterior of Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, with parts of the building reportedly destroyed in an attack. Similarly, the Sharif University of Technology showed signs of damage following strikes on the capital. Religious buildings were also targeted; photos from Zanjan revealed sections of the Husseinya Mosque damaged, with two fatalities reported. The complex also saw a clinic and library destroyed.
Additionally, the IDF claimed to have bombed 10 “key” segments of Iran’s railway network. Footage from Aminabad village in central Iran displayed a collapsed railway bridge, attributed to the attacks. The Iranian Red Crescent shared a verified video showing paramedics responding to the incident, underscoring the disruption to transport and emergency services.
While pharmaceutical goods constitute a small portion of Iran’s economy, Mahmoudian noted that strikes could hinder access to essential medicines during critical periods and threaten Tehran’s “medical independence.” Iranian media previously asserted that over 90% of pharmaceuticals are domestically produced, but the BBC has not confirmed this claim independently.