During the night, the United States carried out airstrikes on Iranian territory, precisely striking the strategic Ak-Take-Khan railway bridge. The incident occurred in the Golestan province, which houses critical infrastructure for regional trade. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine citing data from The Times of Israel.

Severing a Key Transit Corridor

The destroyed bridge is part of a vital artery connecting Tehran with its key strategic partners — China and Russia. The railway line runs through the territories of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, ensuring uninterrupted cargo transit between Asia and Europe.

The significance of this land route increased sharply in 2026. After the US blocked Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf, the railway corridor became the main channel for imports and exports. Furthermore, since the end of 2025, Russia has actively used this route to deliver cargo to Iran, making the strike on the bridge a significant logistical event.

Consequences of the Strike and Recovery Prospects

Despite the scale of the attack, experts do not predict a long-term shutdown of the transport corridor. According to available data, repair work on the bridge is planned to be completed in the near future, which will allow train traffic to resume.

This strike became part of a series of escalations. On the night of July 9, the United States attacked Iranian territory for the second day in a row. American military forces struck about a hundred targets across the country, demonstrating their determination to deliver a retaliatory strike.

Political Context and Reactions

The situation intensified against the backdrop of a statement by US President Donald Trump, made earlier during the NATO summit in Ankara. The Washington leader stated that the ceasefire with Iran is no longer in effect. According to him, the US abandoned negotiations with Tehran after Iran's attack on merchant ships on July 7.

However, on the same night, Trump told journalists about a change in the tone of the dialogue. He stated that following recent American strikes, Iran itself reached out to the US and proposed concluding an agreement. At the same time, the American leader noted that he is not sure if Tehran deserves such an opportunity, leaving the question of future negotiations open.