Tracking recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure

Recent military actions by the United States and Israel have targeted critical components of Iran’s infrastructure, raising concerns over the potential for widespread damage. President Donald Trump has expressed intent to strike bridges and power plants across the country, stating that the U.S. would reduce Iran to its “Stone Ages” if an agreement to end the conflict with Israel is not reached by Tuesday night. His social media post warned of a “whole civilization dying tonight” in the event of no resolution.

Infrastructure and Casualties

Over the past two weeks, multiple strikes have been confirmed by BBC Verify, including attacks on two steel plants, three bridges, and a pharmaceutical facility. These strikes have disrupted essential services, with schools and hospitals among the structures damaged. On Thursday, a bridge under construction in Karaj was hit by U.S. aircraft, killing at least 13 individuals. Footage verified by the BBC showed two explosions, leaving a significant gap in the bridge and cranes visible on either side.

“The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again,”

Trump later shared the strike’s footage, emphasizing the destruction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attacks had crippled 70% of Iran’s steel production, according to verified reports. Damage to the Khuzestan Steel Company, the nation’s second-largest steelmaker, was also documented via satellite images, with local officials estimating repairs could take up to a year.

Economic Consequences

Arman Mahmoudian, a research fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute, highlighted the economic repercussions. “Steel is a cornerstone of Iran’s non-oil economic capacity,” he stated. If the reported damage holds, it could jeopardize nearly 20 million tons of steel output, threatening 3–3.5% of Iran’s GDP. Additionally, strikes on pharmaceutical facilities may strain healthcare access, as the sector produces essential medicines like anaesthetics and cancer drugs.

“If Israeli strikes have indeed dismantled around 70% of Iran’s steel production capacity, this would place nearly 20 million tons of output at risk,”

On March 31, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed a strike on the Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, one of Iran’s major pharmaceutical producers. The IDF alleged the facility had been exporting chemical substances, including fentanyl, for weapon development. While the BBC could not independently verify this claim, the attack raised questions about its impact on Iran’s medical independence.

Impact on Education and Religious Sites

Verified images depict severe damage to educational and religious infrastructure. Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran showed debris around its exterior, with parts of the building reportedly destroyed. In Zanjan, an attack on the Husseinya Mosque damaged a clinic and library, killing two people. The IDF also claimed to have bombed 10 “key” railway components, with a collapsed bridge in Aminabad village confirmed by the Iranian Red Crescent.