Israel Defense Forces on Monday warned Iranian civilians to stay away from trains, then launched strikes on railway lines, bridges, and missile bases inside Iran. The coordinated US-Israel airstrikes are tied to a fast-approaching deadline set by President Trump.
IDF Warning Precedes Rail Infrastructure Strikes
IDF Persian-language spokesman Kamal Penhasi issued a warning on X in Persian, urging all citizens to avoid trains, railway lines, and stations until 21:00 local time. 'For your safety, we ask you from now until 21:00 Iran time not to travel by train or use trains inside Iran. Being on a train or near railway lines will endanger your life,' the statement read.
After the warning, rail services in cities like Mashhad were canceled. Subsequent airstrikes confirmed the alert: Israeli military sources said warplanes hit railway tracks, crossings, and bridges in multiple areas. Iran's official IRNA news agency reported a rail bridge near Kashan in central Iran was struck, killing two and injuring three.
Operation Epic Fury Escalates
The April 7 airstrikes are part of 'Operation Epic Fury,' a coordinated US-Israel campaign that has escalated since late February 2026, targeting Iranian military infrastructure, missile production facilities, and regime-linked logistics networks. Damage extended beyond railways. The Karaj B1 Bridge—the tallest in the Middle East and a key link from Tehran to the west—was hit multiple times in early April, killing 8 to 13 people and injuring 95. A highway bridge connecting Tabriz to Zanjan in northern Iran was also struck and closed. The IDF confirmed a strike on a petrochemical plant near Marvdasht in Shiraz, accusing it of being one of the few remaining facilities producing nitric acid for ballistic missiles and explosives. The military said previous strikes had paralyzed approximately 85% of Iran's petrochemical export capacity.
Large explosions were reported at the Parchin missile base southeast of Tehran, a key IRGC site. The IDF said strikes also hit air defense systems, drone infrastructure, a large ballistic missile position near Tabriz, and mobile missile launchers. Blasts were reported at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport and Khorramabad Airport in Lorestan province. Iran's Mehr news agency reported a synagogue on Fariman Street in central Tehran was damaged or destroyed, though the West had yet to verify the claim.
Trump: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight'
Trump commented on the situation Monday on Truth Social, describing the night as a turning point. He wrote: 'A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be reborn. I don't want this to happen, but I'm afraid it will happen.' The U.S. president added, 'But since we have achieved a total and complete regime change, allowing different, wiser, and less radical thinking to prevail, maybe something revolutionary and beautiful will happen, who knows? Tonight we will see, and it will be one of the most important moments in the long and complicated history of the world. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will finally end. God bless the great people of Iran!'
Earlier over Easter, reports emerged that the Trump administration had issued an ultimatum to Iran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump had separately mentioned planned 'Power Plant Day' and 'Bridge Day' operations as possible next steps if Iran did not comply. Iran has rejected these ultimatums, vowing a 'decisive response.' Casualty counts from the massive operation range from hundreds to thousands according to various Iranian sources, with totals for April 7 still being tallied. As the deadline approaches tonight, real-time tracking maps and news agencies continue to record new reports.