Iranian military claims intercepting and attacking an American A-10, which subsequently crashed in the Persian Gulf

¬ U.S. destroys Iran's tallest bridge under construction; foreign minister vows not to surrender

¬ U.S. warns: Iran may launch attack on Lebanese university

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Ruptly News Agency, Tehran, April 4 — Iranian military stated that Iranian personnel intercepted and attacked a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft in southern Iran.

Iran Islamic Republic Broadcasting Corporation quoted military sources saying: "An A-10 aircraft belonging to the U.S.-Zionist aggressors was intercepted and attacked by Iran’s air defense forces in the Strait of Hormuz region."

The New York Times previously reported that a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf, with the pilot rescued.

The report stated: "Two U.S. officials said on April 3 that a second U.S. Air Force fighter crashed in the Persian Gulf, with the sole pilot on board safely rescued. They said the A-10 'Warthog' attack aircraft crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, almost simultaneously with the downing of a U.S. Air Force F-15E fighter jet over Iranian airspace."

Iran – On April 2, the Karaj city Beyk Highway Bridge, dubbed the tallest bridge in the Middle East, was bombed by U.S. forces. This is an ongoing construction project, a landmark bridge in Iran’s engineering world, also considered one of the most complex engineering achievements globally.

Engineer Roozbeh Yazdi wept uncontrollably before the wreckage of what was once Iran and the Middle East’s largest cable-stayed bridge. Speaking to AFP, he said the bridge was like "our child." A government official confirmed that a total of "12 bombs" were dropped on Thursday.

Both main bridge piers withstood the blast impact but were split into two pieces at the center. Subsequent attacks ultimately caused the two ends of the bridge to collapse. Twisted rebar and concrete chunks now hang precariously mid-air, and experts are uncertain whether the bridge can ever be repaired. Roozbeh Yazdi said at the construction site: "We worked tirelessly to nearly complete this bridge—we shed tears and sweat." The project mobilized a team of 700 people and was originally scheduled to open this summer.

Two still-standing cranes indicate that the project, which began over two years ago, remains unfinished. The bridge was designated B1 before it had an official name.

Engineer Roozbeh Yazdi told AFP: "We spent two years day and night working on this bridge, pouring our hearts into it." "Our efforts were destroyed in just three hours," referring to the time between the first and second airstrikes. But he added, "If God wills, we will rebuild it." Trump boasted about bombing the B1 Bridge, yet offered no explanation for why it was targeted.

The U.S. President posted a message on his “Truth” social media account, accompanied by a video showing the destroyed bridge, writing: "The largest bridge in Iran has collapsed and can never be used again." "Iran must reach an agreement as soon as possible—otherwise it will be too late—the nation that could have become a great country will be wiped out," he added in capital letters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X (formerly Twitter): "Attacking civilian infrastructure, including unfinished bridges, cannot force Iran to surrender."

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (ISNA), the B1 Bridge is Iran’s most complex engineering structure, standing 176 meters high and spanning 1,050 meters long.

Source: rfi

Lebanon – On April 3, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued a warning stating that "Iran and its allied armed groups may intend to attack Lebanese University." In this security alert, the U.S. Embassy also urged American citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible while commercial flights remain available.

Additionally, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced on Friday that three peacekeepers were injured in southern Lebanon amid a new round of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut.

UNIFIL stated: "This afternoon, an explosion occurred within a UN position, injuring three peacekeepers, two of whom sustained serious injuries." UNIFIL added that the cause of the explosion remains unclear.

Within less than a week, three Indonesian peacekeepers have already died: according to sources from the United Nations Security Department, one was killed by Israeli tank fire on Sunday, and two others died the following day due to explosions, possibly caused by landmines.

The Israeli military denied any responsibility for Monday’s incident and stated that its troops were not in the area at the time.

On March 2, Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, launched rockets toward Israel in retaliation for the U.S.-Israel coalition strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing Lebanon into the Middle East war. Since then, Israel has continued bombing Lebanon, claiming targets are Islamic Movement forces, and has launched a ground invasion in the south.

According to the latest data from the health ministry, these operations have resulted in 1,368 deaths, including 125 children, and displaced over a million people. On Friday afternoon, Israeli forces conducted another airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut—Hezbollah’s stronghold—claiming their target was "terrorist infrastructure." AFP reporters heard explosions, and Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA, the official news agency) also reported explosions in the area, which is now largely deserted.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861496329872584/

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