U.S. bombs key bridge linking Tehran and Karaj

According to the Financial News, U.S. forces have launched a sudden strike on a major bridge connecting Iran’s capital Tehran with the nearby strategic city of Karaj, moving to cut supply lines inside Iran.
On the 2nd (local time), foreign media outlets including The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing senior U.S. officials, that the so‐called "B1 Bridge" had been destroyed. They said the airstrike was carried out as part of a broader military operation aimed at severing Iran’s resupply routes for military materiel.
At the same time, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is expected to rejoin operations after completing repairs on a fire that broke out on board, which is likely to further strengthen U.S. firepower.
The situation on the ground is growing increasingly dire. The State of Israel came under four separate missile attacks from Iran overnight, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) intercepted one ballistic missile and five drones. Explosions were also heard across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), indicating that the scope of the fighting is spreading across the Middle East.
Against this backdrop, foreign ministers from about 40 countries gathered in London on the 2nd to discuss issues related to the war and its aftermath. They began preparatory work for a main meeting next week that will focus on clearing naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz and restoring normal shipping lanes once tensions in the Middle East ease.
The military tensions are also escalating into a diplomatic crisis. Mark Rutte, secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., next week for an emergency meeting with President Donald Trump.
Recent reports that President Donald Trump has discussed with his aides the possibility of the United States of America (U.S.) withdrawing from NATO have heightened concerns among European allies. The upcoming meeting is expected to be a critical turning point for reaffirming U.S. commitment to its alliances and preventing cracks in the collective defense system.


jjyoon@fnnews.com Yoon Jae-joon Reporter