US strikes two Iran rail bridges, disrupting Mashhad route

The United States struck two rail bridges in Iran early Thursday (9/7), including the Aq Tekeh Khan Bridge outside Aqqala, Golestan Province. IRIB reported that seven projectiles were fired around 01:30 local time and two explosions damaged the rail line. According to IRGC, another strike also hit the bridge linking to Mashhad, the birthplace of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the site of his burial. Antara, citing Fars, said the bridge in Golestan was strategic because it sits on a rail corridor connecting Iran with Turkmenistan and routes to China and Russia. Iran's national rail company deployed repair crews and moved affected passengers by road. IRGC said there were no fatalities, but warned it would expand attacks to other US bases if strikes were repeated.