Tracking recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure
Tracking Recent US-Israeli Strikes on Iranian Infrastructure
US-Israeli Strikes Target Iranian Infrastructure
President Donald Trump declared intent to strike critical infrastructure across Iran unless a deal to end the US-Israeli conflict is finalized by Tuesday night. His remarks emphasized a strategy of “bombing the country back to the Stone Ages,” with specific focus on bridges and power plants. A social media post by Trump further warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if no agreement is reached.
Damage to Civilian Facilities
Since the conflict escalated, infrastructure essential to daily life in Iran has faced repeated attacks. Schools and hospitals have been among the damaged sites, raising concerns about civilian casualties. BBC Verify confirmed that US and Israeli forces struck at least two steel plants, three bridges, and a pharmaceutical facility over the last two weeks.
Impact on Economy and Healthcare
Following the strikes, some Democratic lawmakers and UN officials cautioned that such actions could constitute war crimes. However, Trump downplayed these warnings during a Monday news conference. On Thursday, US aircraft targeted a bridge under construction in Karaj, leaving at least 13 dead. Footage verified by BBC showed the destruction, with a large section of the bridge missing and cranes visible nearby.
“Steel is a cornerstone of Iran’s non-oil economic capacity,” said Arman Mahmoudian, a research fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute. “If Israeli strikes have indeed dismantled 70% of Iran’s steel production, nearly 20 million tons of output could be lost, potentially affecting 3–3.5% of the country’s GDP.”
Verified images from March 27 revealed smoke rising from the Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel Company, Iran’s largest steel producer. The plant contributed $860m in exports between March 2025 and January 2026. Satellite data also indicated damage at Khuzestan Steel Company, the second-largest manufacturer. Local officials estimated repairs could take up to a year.
“Attacks on the pharmaceutical sector could disrupt access to vital medicines,” Mahmoudian added. “This undermines Tehran’s medical independence during a critical period.”
On March 31, an IDF spokesperson announced a strike on Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, a major pharmaceutical firm. The attack, claimed to target chemical substances including fentanyl used for weapon development, remains unverified by the BBC. Educational institutions also suffered; debris from Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran was visible after an attack, with parts of the building damaged. Religious sites, such as Husseinya Mosque in Zanjan, were hit as well, killing two people and destroying a clinic and library within the complex.
Israeli Claims and Verification Challenges
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that 70% of Iran’s steel manufacturing capacity had been disrupted. Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent shared a video of a collapsed railway bridge in central Iran, attributed to the strikes. However, the BBC has not independently confirmed the IDF’s assertion about chemical weapon research at the Tofigh Daru facility.
Iranian media previously claimed over 90% of pharmaceuticals are domestically produced, but the BBC Verify team has yet to confirm this figure. The ongoing strikes continue to strain Iran’s economic and healthcare systems, with implications extending beyond immediate damage.
