US bombs rail links to Mashhad, where Khamenei is to be buried; Tehran says, ‘inability to comprehend Iran's loyalty’
Iran said US strikes had hit railway bridges leading to the holy city of Mashhad, where the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was to
Iran said US strikes had hit railway bridges leading to the holy city of Mashhad, where the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was to be buried, marking the first attacks on the country's transport infrastructure in months as tension escalated. Train services to Iran’s holiest city were disrupted on Thursday after overnight strikes damaged key railway infrastructure near Mashhad, including a bridge about 55 km from the city. The attacks came as thousands of mourners were travelling to Mashhad for the long-delayed burial of supreme leader Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 Why did the US target railway infrastructure in Iran during recent strikes? ⌵ The US targeted railway infrastructure in Iran to disrupt the transport of mourners traveling to Mashhad for the burial of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as part of a broader military strategy to degrade Iran's operational capabilities. 2 What has been Iran's response to the US strikes on its military targets?
⌵ Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at US targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, along with strong warnings that any further US military actions would face severe retaliation. 3 How did the recent US strikes affect train services to Mashhad? ⌵ The US strikes damaged key railway infrastructure near Mashhad, resulting in the suspension of train services connecting the capital Tehran with the holy city. 4 What did Iran's foreign ministry say about the US strikes and their implications? ⌵ Iran's foreign ministry stated that the US strikes showed a lack of understanding of Iranian patriotism and loyalty to the revolution, emphasizing that such actions do not come without consequences. 5 When were the US strikes against Iran initiated and what triggered them? ⌵ The US strikes began after Iran was accused of violating a peace agreement aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts, particularly following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's foreign ministry said the attacks show Washington “inability to comprehend the depth of Iranians’ patriotism and loyalty to the revolution’s ideals”.
Also Read | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral to be held on July 9 in Mashhad Every time they hit us, we’ll hit them 20: Trump Meanwhile, US Central Command said on X it hit about 90 targets on Wednesday — after 80 the previous day — “to further degrade” the Islamic Republic’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Centcom said it targeted Iran’s air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, and missile and drone storage sites. Iranian media reported that US forces also hit railways, forcing Iran to suspend a line connecting capital Tehran with Mashad, where Khamenei is scheduled to be buried later on Thursday. “Every time they hit us, we’ll hit them 20,” US President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “I don’t know. We’d win it very quickly. We have many ways we could win,” he added when asked whether the US and Iran were returning to an all-out war.
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