TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — The 34-day conflict between the U.S.-Israeli coalition and Iran has shifted from surgical military strikes to a systematic campaign of "industrial attrition."
Following a prime-time address where President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran "back to the Stone Ages," a wave of heavy aerial bombardments has crippled the nation’s steel industry and severed key transportation arteries.
Industrial Giants Fall
In what analysts describe as a move to induce total domestic economic collapse, the coalition targeted Iran’s industrial crown jewels:
Mobarakeh & Khuzestan Steel: The nation’s two largest steel producers have been pushed out of service. These facilities are the backbone of Iran’s manufacturing and construction sectors.
Isfahan South Missile Base: Verified footage from central Iran shows "massive secondary explosions" at this strategic site. Experts suggest the strikes successfully detonated high-value missile stockpiles, lighting up the mountains for several minutes.
Mashhad Infrastructure: Strikes near the Mashhad International Airport reportedly destroyed fuel storage tanks and warehouses, impacting both civilian logistics and air force capabilities.
"Tumbling Down": The Bridge at Karaj
The most visible blow to Iran's civilian infrastructure occurred at the B1 highway bridge linking Tehran to the western city of Karaj.
Trump’s Confirmation: In a rare move, President Trump posted video of the strike on Truth Social, declaring the bridge "never to be used again" and urging Tehran to make a deal "before there is nothing left."
Human Toll: Local officials in Alborz province confirmed at least two deaths and multiple injuries. Iranian media also reported the destruction of the Pasteur Institute, a century-old medical research center, which has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian agencies.
Global Chokepoint: The Hormuz Crisis
The war is no longer contained within regional borders, as the "Hormuz Stranglehold" threatens the global economy:
2,000 Ships Trapped: The Strait of Hormuz remains under a de facto blockade. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that Iran is "hijacking the global economy," causing UK mortgage rates and global petrol prices to spike.
$110 Oil: Crude prices have reacted violently. WTI surged over 10% to hit $110 a barrel, the highest point since the war began, as markets digest the lack of a clear U.S. exit strategy.
UN Alert: Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a "wider war" threshold, stating that the closure of the Strait is depriving the world's most vulnerable of food and fuel.
Tehran’s Defiant Stand
Tehran has responded with a mixture of dismissal and threats of "crushing" retaliation:
7 Million Volunteers: Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf announced a massive national campaign, claiming millions have volunteered to "defend the home."
Regional Retaliation: The IRGC claimed responsibility for drone attacks on an Amazon cloud center in Bahrain and U.S. jets in Jordan. Meanwhile, 19 ballistic missiles and 26 drones were engaged by UAE air defenses today alone.
As the U.S. and Israel celebrate strategic gains and a "muted Passover" respectively, the Middle East remains on a knife-edge, waiting for the "broader and destructive" counter-strike promised by Tehran.
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https://thereporter24.com/news/back-to-the-stone-age-us-israel-blitz-hits-iran-s-steel-giants-and-key-bridges-as-tehran-vows-crushing-blow
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