US Strikes Strategic Iran Rail Bridge Linking China, Russia Amid Rising Tensions
US Strikes Strategic Iran Rail Bridge Linking China, Russia Amid Rising Tensions Published By, Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 17:02 IST The railway corridor has
US Strikes Strategic Iran Rail Bridge Linking China, Russia Amid Rising Tensions Published By, Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 17:02 IST The railway corridor has gained strategic importance in recent years as Iran increasingly relied on overland trade routes amid pressure on its Gulf ports. Rapid Read A railway bridge was destroyed near Aqqala, in Iran’s northern Golestan province. (X) US-Iran War: Amid rising tensions, the United States struck a strategic railway bridge in the northern Iranian province of Golestan that forms part of a key trade corridor connecting the country with China and Russia, Iranian state media reported on Thursday. According to Fars news agency, the overnight cruise missile strike hit the Aq Tekeh-Khan (Agh Tekeh Khan) railway bridge in Golestan province’s Aqqala district.
The bridge lies on the railway corridor connecting China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran, and is considered a crucial overland trade route linking Tehran with its strategic partners Beijing and Moscow. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that the bridge suffered physical damage but said there were no casualties. Local authorities have not yet disclosed the full extent of the damage or whether rail services on the route have been suspended. The railway corridor has gained strategic importance in recent years as Iran increasingly relied on overland trade routes amid pressure on its Gulf ports. According to Iranian media, the route has also been used by Russia for cargo shipments since late 2025 and forms part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The strike came as the US military launched another round of attacks on Iran after President Donald Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire “over." US Central Command said the latest operations were aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian rail infrastructure has been struck before, with rail points, roads and bridges hit and rebuilt at speed, according to the report. In strikes on April 7, the US and Israel targeted six railway bridges in Tehran, Alborz, Qom, Isfahan, Zanjan and East Azerbaijan. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news.
He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location: Iran First Published: July 09, 2026, 17:02 IST News world US Strikes Strategic Iran Rail Bridge Linking China, Russia Amid Rising Tensions Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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