US strike hits key China-Iran railway bridge, train services suspended

TEHRAN: A key railway bridge on the strategic China-Iran rail corridor was hit in a reported US airstrike overnight, disrupting train operations and raising fresh concerns over regional trade routes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

According to Iranian media reports, the Aq Taqeh Khan Railway Bridge in Iran’s northeastern Golestan province was struck during the attack, damaging sections of the railway line that connects Iran with China through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

The railway corridor has become increasingly important for regional trade and logistics. Reports said Russia has also been using the route since late 2025 to transport cargo into Iran, making it a significant transport link amid changing geopolitical dynamics.

Following the strike, railway authorities suspended passenger train services between Tehran and Mashhad, one of Iran’s busiest rail routes, after parts of the track were damaged.

Iran’s Railway Organization said emergency engineering teams had been dispatched to inspect the site and begin repair work. Officials also announced that alternative bus services would be arranged for passengers affected by the suspension while restoration efforts continue.

Iranian state media reported that repairs to the damaged bridge are expected to be completed as quickly as possible, although no timeline was officially announced.

The latest attack comes amid a broader escalation in military activity across Iran. Iranian officials accused the United States of targeting infrastructure in the country’s southern provinces as well as two railway bridges in the east.

Iran strongly condemned the strikes, describing them as “war crimes” and accusing Washington of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.

In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the attacks constituted a “clear violation” of the United Nations Charter and Articles 1 and 5 of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding aimed at reducing regional tensions.

“The United States cannot be allowed to violate agreements, threaten Iran’s national interests, or undermine our sovereignty,” the ministry said, adding that Tehran remained committed to defending the country and responding to what it described as acts of aggression.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said recent remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte amounted to an acknowledgment that several European countries were knowingly supporting the United States and Israel in the conflict against Iran.

The strike on one of Iran’s key international rail links is expected to deepen concerns over the security of regional transport corridors, with analysts warning that continued attacks on critical infrastructure could have wider implications for trade, supply chains, and stability across the region.