United States airstrikes overnight reportedly hit the Aq Taqeh Khan railway bridge in Iran’s northern Golestan province, a key transport link connecting Tehran with China and Russia through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
According to The Times of Israel on July 9, 2026, the railway has become increasingly important as an overland trade corridor, particularly following the US blockade of Iran’s Gulf ports earlier this year. The route has also been used to facilitate Russian cargo shipments to Iran since late 2025.
Iranian authorities said repairs to the damaged bridge are expected to be completed quickly, limiting long-term disruption to regional supply chains.
The strike comes amid heightened regional tensions and underscores the strategic importance of transport infrastructure in sustaining economic ties between Iran, China and Russia. The railway has supported the movement of energy resources, industrial materials and consumer goods as businesses increasingly rely on land routes over vulnerable maritime corridors.
Analysts say attacks on such infrastructure are intended to disrupt logistics and increase pressure on Tehran, although Iran’s rapid repair plans reflect years of investment in resilient transport networks.
