United States (US) forces launched a cruise missile strike against the Aq Taqeh Khan railway bridge in Iran’s northeastern Golestan province on Thursday morning, marking the second consecutive day of renewed American military operations in the country.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported the attack, identifying the location in the Aq Qala district and describing the structure as a “strategic point on the railway corridor” connecting China, Turkmenistan and Iran, which also functions as a vital land trade route used by Russia.
The targeted transit infrastructure has seen elevated usage over recent months. According to Fars News Agency, the route has been an “important land link to China which gained further relevance during this year’s blockade of Iran’s Gulf ports by the US”.
The agency added that the route had also been “used by Russia for cargo shipments to Iran since late 2025”.
The volume of Chinese rail traffic passing through the corridor reportedly tripled following the maritime blockade of Iranian Gulf ports enforced by the US.
While previous American strikes have targeted various Iranian rail links, roads and bridges, Fars News Agency noted that local authorities have historically rebuilt the damaged infrastructure within short timeframes, stating that “repairs to the bridge were expected to be completed quickly”.
The attack occurred amid a broader suspension of passenger rail services between Tehran and the northeastern city of Mashhad.
This disruption followed separate strikes on a section of the line, which local residents attributed to a joint US and Israeli operation. The Iranian state railway announced that repair teams had been deployed to the site, with plans to transport stranded passengers to Mashhad by road.
The military action follows the collapse of a diplomatic resolution reached weeks earlier. On June 17, Iran and the US had established a Pakistan-brokered framework agreement intended to halt active military conflict and establish a path toward a lasting peace deal.
The agreement dissolved on Wednesday when US President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire was “over” due to reported attacks on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
