U.S. forces destroyed sections of Iran’s tallest bridge, the B1 bridge near Tehran, in airstrikes on April 2, according to President Donald Trump. The bridge, which links Tehran to the western city of Karaj, was targeted in two waves of strikes, causing significant damage and reportedly killing two civilians, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
Trump shared footage of the strike on social media, writing, 'The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again — Much more to follow! IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY!' The strike was part of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with Trump warning of further military action if Iran does not engage in negotiations.
Iran has threatened retaliation, with state TV warning that bridges in American-allied Middle Eastern nations could become 'legitimate targets.' The Iranian regime also condemned strikes on a 105-year-old medical research center in Tehran, calling it a 'direct assault on international health security.'
Trump has framed the military campaign as aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, asserting that the U.S. has 'all the cards' and that Iran has no viable military or nuclear capabilities left. He has also emphasized that the U.S. has deliberately avoided targeting Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure to leave room for potential negotiations.
The conflict has resulted in at least 13 American service members killed since it began on February 28. Republicans are reportedly considering hundreds of billions in healthcare cuts to fund the war effort, a move that has drawn criticism from some quarters.