4 Reasons Why US Struck Iran’s Karaj B1, Middle East’s Tallest Bridge And IRGC’s Key Route

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 15:48 IST

Why the Karaj B1 bridge was key to Iran and IRGC and why the US targeted it, News18 explains

As President Donald Trump warned of bombing Iran “back to the Stone Age", Tehran’s iconic B1 bridge, the highest in the entire Middle East, was struck by joint US-Israeli strikes.

The bridge that was still under construction was supposed to link Iran’s capital city of Tehran to the western city of Karaj. Visuals shared by major news outlets like Reuters showed central sections of the structure collapsing.

Why the Karaj B1 bridge was key to Iran and why the US targeted it, News18 explains.

US strike cuts B1 Karaj bridge into two

The strikes, which cut the under-construction B1 Karaj bridge into two, reportedly resulted in at least 8 deaths and nearly 100 injuries. Many victims were civilians who had gathered in the area for Nature Day (Sizdah Be-dar) celebrations.

Trump described it as the “biggest bridge in Iran" and issued warnings on social media that it would “never be used again," signaling a further escalation in tensions.

In a sharp response to the strike on its largest bridge in Karaj, Iran vowed it will be “rebuilt stronger", warning America’s standing in the world “will never recover", Al Jazeera reports. Iranian media reported a list of eight major bridges across the Gulf that could be targeted, signalling a “tit-for-tat" retaliation.

All about Karaj B1 bridge

The Karaj B1 bridge is an iconic infrastructure project in Iran, recently recognised as the tallest bridge in the Middle East. Located in the city of Karaj (Alborz Province), it serves as a critical transport link on the Karaj Northern Bypass, connecting the capital, Tehran, to northern regions via the Chalus Highway.

• Dimensions: The bridge spans approximately 1,050 metres in length with its highest column reaching 136 metres.
• Engineering: Described as one of West Asia’s most complex engineering feats, it was built using domestic Iranian technology and valued at roughly $400 million (500 billion Rials).
• Purpose: It was designed to significantly ease traffic congestion between Tehran and Karaj while facilitating international trade and transit.
• Critical Connectivity: The bridge is the centerpiece of the Karaj Northern Bypass, designed to bypass extreme traffic between Tehran and Karaj, two of Iran’s most populous cities.
• Trade Gateway: It serves as a major commercial artery connecting the capital to northern provinces and facilitating international trade toward the Caspian Sea and Eurasia.

Why Iran’s iconic B1 bridge was targeted?

The B1 bridge was targeted primarily to disrupt what US officials claim is a strategic military supply route used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to transport missiles and drone components.

Military Logistics: US intelligence officials assert the bridge is a key link for moving advanced weaponry, including ballistic missiles and drone parts, from production sites to launch units.

Economic Warfare: As part of “Operation Epic Fury," targeting such massive infrastructure signals that civilian-integrated projects are no longer off-limits, aiming to pressure the Iranian government into negotiations.

Psychological Impact: By destroying the tallest bridge in the Middle East, the U.S. and Israel aimed to deliver a “Stone Age" blow to Iran’s national pride and modernization efforts.

Regional Geopolitics: Its destruction has triggered a “bridge-for-bridge" retaliatory stance from Iran, which has since identified eight major bridges across the Gulf and Jordan as potential counter-targets.

KEY FAQs

Why did the US target the Karaj B1 bridge?

The strike aimed to disrupt routes used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. U.S. officials said the bridge was being used to move missile and drone components, making it a strategic supply link.

Why is this bridge so important?

The B1 bridge connects Tehran and Karaj — a major transport and logistics corridor. It’s also one of the tallest bridges in the Middle East and a key infrastructure project, so hitting it has both practical and symbolic impact.

Why is the strike controversial?

It marks a shift toward targeting major infrastructure, not just military bases. Critics say this risks civilian harm and escalation, while supporters argue it weakens Iran’s military capabilities and pressures it into negotiations.

With agency inputs

News explainers 4 Reasons Why US Struck Iran’s Karaj B1, Middle East’s Tallest Bridge And IRGC’s Key Route

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