Tracking Recent US-Israeli Strikes on Iranian Infrastructure
Recent aerial attacks by US and Israeli forces have focused on critical Iranian infrastructure, raising concerns about civilian casualties and economic disruption. Verified footage and official reports indicate strikes targeting bridges, steel plants, and pharmaceutical facilities over the past two weeks. The damage has sparked warnings from international observers about potential war crimes, though US President Donald Trump dismissed such claims during a Monday press briefing.
Targeting Key Infrastructure
On Thursday, US military aircraft bombed a bridge under construction in Karaj, central Iran, killing at least 13 individuals. The attack left a visible gap in the structure, with construction cranes still standing nearby. Trump later shared video of the strike, declaring that the “biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again” and hinting at further action.
Israeli forces also contributed to the campaign, striking a major steel facility in Isfahan on March 27. Smoke from the blast forced operations to halt, disrupting Iran’s largest steel producer. Satellite imagery confirmed damage at Khuzestan Steel Company, the nation’s second-largest manufacturer, which could require up to a year to repair. Netanyahu claimed these strikes crippled 70% of Iran’s steel production capacity.
Economic and Health Impacts
Arman Mahmoudian, a researcher at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute, highlighted the economic toll of such attacks. “Steel is a cornerstone of Iran’s non-oil economic capacity,” he stated. If the strikes indeed reduced steel output by 70%, nearly 20 million tons of production would be at risk, potentially affecting 3–3.5% of Iran’s GDP.
Pharmaceutical facilities have also faced targeted strikes. On March 31, the IDF claimed it hit Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, a key producer of anaesthetic and cancer drugs. The attack was alleged to disrupt the company’s work with chemical substances, including fentanyl, used for weapon development. While the BBC cannot independently confirm this, the damage to the sector threatens access to essential medicines, undermining Iran’s medical independence.
Damage to Educational and Religious Sites
Verified images show extensive destruction at educational institutions. Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran had debris scattered around its exterior after a reported strike, with parts of the building damaged. Similarly, Sharif University of Technology was hit in an attack on the capital, according to local officials.
Religious sites were not spared either. In Zanjan, an attack partially destroyed the Husseinya Mosque, killing two people and damaging a clinic and library within the complex. These strikes have intensified fears of collateral harm, with civilian infrastructure becoming a primary focus of the conflict.
