US strikes key Iran bridge; Trump warns ‘much more to follow’

Washington — The United States carried out a strike on a key highway bridge in Iran, sharply escalating tensions as President Donald Trump warned that further action could follow and urged Tehran to reach a deal.

The strike targeted the B1 bridge connecting Tehran with the nearby city of Karaj. A US military official described the bridge as a planned supply route for Iran’s missile and drone forces.

Iranian state media, however, said the bridge was not yet operational and was not being used by the military. Authorities reported that at least eight people were killed and dozens injured, including civilians who were outdoors during the Nowruz holiday.

Trump praised the strike in a social media post, saying the “biggest bridge in Iran” had been brought down and warning that “much more” would follow. He also urged Iran to “make a deal before it is too late.”

US officials said the operation formed part of a broader effort to disrupt Iran’s military logistics and prevent the movement of missile and drone components across the country.

Iranian leaders responded with defiance. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf said citizens were ready to defend the country, while Tehran ruled out immediate negotiations with Washington. A foreign ministry spokesperson said talks were “impossible under current conditions.”

Iranian authorities also reported that an airstrike hit the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a major public health facility, with the health ministry calling it a direct assault on international health security.

The conflict appeared to widen across the region. Israel said it intercepted missiles launched from Iran, while the Houthis in Yemen reportedly fired a missile toward Israel.

Diplomatic efforts remained stalled, as Russia, China and France blocked a push at the United Nations Security Council to authorise force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

With inputs from IANS