Overnight US airstrikes have damaged a strategic railway bridge in northern Iran that serves as an important overland trade corridor connecting the country with China and Russia, according to Iranian media.
Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the strikes hit the Aq Taqeh Khan railway bridge in Golestan Province, disrupting a route that passes through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan before reaching China.
The rail corridor has become increasingly important for Iran’s trade, particularly after disruptions to shipping through the Persian Gulf earlier this year.
According to Fars, the route emerged as a critical alternative for transporting goods to China during the US blockade of Iranian Gulf ports. Since late 2025, it has also been used by Russia to move cargo into Iran.
The report did not provide details on the extent of the damage but said repair work on the bridge was expected to be completed quickly.
The strike highlights the strategic importance of Iran’s expanding overland transport links with China and Russia, as Tehran seeks to reduce its dependence on maritime routes vulnerable to sanctions and military tensions.
(with inputs from Reuters)
