Iran suspends Tehran-Mashhad rail service after US-Israeli strike

Iran's national railway operator on Thursday suspended all passenger services between Tehran and Mashhad, announcing the immediate halt of operations on the strategic northeastern route following US-Israeli missile attacks on railway bridges in Golestan province. The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways confirmed the disruption in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB, citing damage to sections of the line struck earlier in the day.

Technical and operational teams were immediately dispatched to the affected sites, with reconstruction work already underway to restore the damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible. Railway authorities said stranded passengers would be transported by road to Mashhad — a major pilgrimage destination — while engineers work to repair the line.

First transport strikes since truce

The strikes hit the Aq Tekeh Khan Bridge in northern Golestan province, according to Mehr News Agency, which reported the structure was struck by projectiles on Thursday morning. A US official told Axios that American military forces targeted two railway bridges in the region with cruise missiles as part of Wednesday's operations.

The attack marked the first reported US strike on Iranian transportation infrastructure since the ceasefire took effect on April 8. The Tehran-Mashhad corridor remains one of Iran's busiest passenger routes, with no timeline announced for the resumption of regular rail services.