Tehran-Mashhad rail service disrupted after US attack

The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAJA) announced on July 9 that a 'criminal attack' by the American-Zionist enemy in the early hours of Thursday targeted a section of the Tehran-Mashhad rail route, causing a disruption in services. According to the railroad operator, passenger train services on the route have been temporarily halted while technical and operational teams carry out emergency repairs at the damaged site. RAJA stated that railroad crews were dispatched to the scene immediately after the attack and reconstruction work is underway, with efforts focused on restoring the line in the shortest possible time.

Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from stranded trains to the holy city of Mashhad by road using the country's passenger bus fleet. The disruption comes as Mashhad is hosting millions of mourners from across Iran and abroad for the funeral and burial ceremonies of martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, making the Tehran-Mashhad transport corridor one of the country's busiest routes.

The railroad disruption followed a new wave of US aggression against Iran. Earlier on Thursday, the US launched a cruise missile attack on areas around the Aq Tekeh Khan Bridge in Aq Qala County in the northern province of Golestan, causing no casualties, according to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). Hours earlier, American strikes had also targeted several areas in southern Iran, hitting civilian infrastructure and killing one person.

According to Mehr News, the attacks have heightened tensions in the region, with Iranian officials condemning the strikes as violations of international law. The situation remains under assessment as repair teams work to restore rail services.