US strikes Kharg Island; Israeli attack on railway bridge kills two in Iran
The latest attacks come as Tehran shows no sign of complying with a deadline set by US President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face broader strikes on infrastructure.
Highlights
- US strikes targeted military sites on Kharg Island in Iran
- Israeli strike hit a railway bridge in Kashan, killing two
- Iran rejects US ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
- Tehran rules out ceasefire unless strikes stop and guarantees are given
- Trump warns of massive attacks if deadline is not met
- Iran threatens retaliation against US allies in the Gulf
The United States military on Tuesday (7 April) carried out strikes on targets in Iran, including the strategic Kharg Island, amid escalating tensions in the region.
According to a report by Axios citing a senior US official, the strikes targeted military installations on Kharg Island, reports Reuters.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Separately, Iran's state news agency IRNA, citing a provincial official, said a strike hit a railway bridge in Kashan, killing at least two people. Meanwhile, Mehr News Agency reported that an Israeli strike targeted the railway bridge.
Local outlet Etemad also reported a separate strike on a bridge along the Tabriz–Zanjan highway in northwestern Iran.
The latest attacks come as Tehran shows no sign of complying with a deadline set by US President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face broader strikes on infrastructure.
The ultimatum, set to expire Tuesday evening in Washington, marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran has rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire conveyed through intermediaries, insisting that any negotiations can only begin after US and Israeli strikes stop and guarantees are provided against future attacks.
The source added that Iran would seek to retain control over the Strait of Hormuz, including imposing fees on passing vessels.
Trump has warned that failure to meet US demands could trigger large-scale attacks targeting Iran's bridges and power plants within hours. In response, Iran has threatened retaliation against infrastructure in Gulf countries allied with Washington.
With the deadline approaching, global markets remain cautious, reflecting uncertainty over whether the United States will follow through on its threats or step back from further escalation.
