US Airstrikes Hit Key China-Iran Railway Bridge Amid Rising Tensions

US airstrikes overnight on Thursday targeted the Aq Taqeh Khan railway bridge in Golestan province, northern Iran, according to the Fars news agency. This railway line connects Tehran with strategic partners China and Russia, passing through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. The route has gained increased importance this year due to US sanctions blocking Iran's Gulf ports. It has also been used by Russia for cargo shipments to Iran since late 2025. Fars reported that repairs to the damaged bridge are expected to be completed quickly.

The strikes are part of a second wave of US-Iran confrontations, endangering the existing memorandum of understanding between the two countries. Explosions were also reported at several Iranian ports, including Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik. A US official told CNN that President Donald Trump's decision to authorize further strikes stemmed from frustration over the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and recent attacks on ships passing through this strategic oil route during his NATO summit participation.

Trump warned that the attacks would escalate if Iran resumed assaults on vessels in the strait, stating that he believes the ceasefire has ended. Iran's chief negotiator responded by affirming that Iran would retaliate against any attacks and insisted that the Strait of Hormuz would only reopen under Iranian terms, not due to US threats.