US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh ultimatum to Iran, warning Tehran to “make a deal before it is too late” after the destruction of a major bridge near Karaj, widely described in Iranian media as one of the highest and most important structures in the Middle East. The strike targeted the 1,050‑metre B1 highway bridge linking Tehran to Karaj, an under‑construction but strategically vital link for regional trade and commuting, and comes amid a widening US–Israel aerial campaign against Iranian infrastructure.
Message and symbolism of the bridge attack
Trump posted a video on Truth Social showing the bridge collapsing in flames and declared, “The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again — much more to follow!” He framed the strike as proof that Iran’s civilian and logistical backbone is now within reach, urging the Islamic Republic to negotiate before “there is nothing left of what still could become a great country.” The attack has reportedly killed at least eight people, underscoring the human cost of escalating strikes on infrastructure that Iranian officials say serves not only military but also economic and civilian purposes.
Iranian response and regional escalation
Even as Trump seeks to force a deal, Iran has responded with continued missile barrages at Israel and Gulf states, signaling that it still views its leverage—through attacks on shipping and the Strait of Hormuz—as a key bargaining chip. The disruption of global energy flows, with around 20% of traded oil having historically passed through the Strait, has drawn dozens of countries into urgent talks on how to reopen the waterway once the fighting ends, even as Trump has urged oil‑dependent allies to “build some courage” and secure Hormuz themselves.
Trump’s bridge strike and blunt messaging are widely read as an attempt to raise the pressure on Iran’s leadership while projecting domestic strength, but the open‑ended threat of “more to follow” also risks hardening Tehran’s resolve in the short term.
