In the most turbulent 24 hours since Operation Epic Fury began, the United States destroyed Iran’s largest bridge, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Army’s top general mid-war, and a UN Security Council bid to authorize military force in the Strait of Hormuz was blocked by Russia, China, and France. Oil surged past $108 a barrel as Day 34 of the conflict delivered blow after blow — on every front.
Iran’s $400 Million B1 Bridge Obliterated
President Trump personally claimed credit Thursday for the destruction of the B1 suspension bridge — Iran’s tallest and most expensive infrastructure project — linking Tehran to the western city of Karaj. The 136-meter-high, $400 million bridge was struck twice in its center span, collapsing dramatically onto the causeway below in footage that quickly circulated on social media.
“The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again,” Trump posted on Truth Social, warning there would be “much more to follow” if Tehran did not agree to a deal.
According to Iranian state media, at least eight people were killed and 95 wounded in the strike. Israel’s military confirmed in a briefing to reporters that it was not responsible — the bridge had been a U.S. target. Video footage appeared to show a projectile hitting the span at a point where damage was already visible, suggesting a deliberate two-strike pattern to ensure total destruction.
The attack came just one day after Trump’s primetime address where he threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” and specifically warned he would target all of Iran’s power-generating plants “very hard and probably simultaneously” if no peace deal materialized.
Trump’s Primetime Address: ‘Nearing Completion’
In his first address to the nation since launching Operation Epic Fury on February 28, President Trump declared Wednesday night that the war’s “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.” Speaking from the White House, Trump projected another two to three weeks of heavy strikes before American military objectives would be fully achieved.
“I have made clear from the beginning of Operation Epic Fury that we will continue until our objectives are fully achieved,” Trump said. “Thanks to the progress we’ve made, I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.”
The stated objectives of the operation have included: destroying Iran’s missile production and launch capabilities, annihilating its navy, severing its support for terrorist proxy groups across the Middle East, and ensuring Tehran can never acquire a nuclear weapon.
However, critics were quick to note the contradictory messaging. While declaring the war “nearing completion,” Trump simultaneously escalated his rhetoric — and the bombing campaign followed through on the threat within hours with the bridge strike.
Hegseth Fires Army Chief of Staff Mid-War
In a stunning move that sent shockwaves through the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to retire “effective immediately” on Thursday — five weeks into an active war. The Pentagon offered no explanation for the ouster.
George, a West Point graduate and decorated infantry officer who served in the first Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, had held the position since August 2023 under the Biden administration. He is the latest in a string of more than a dozen top generals and admirals removed by Hegseth since taking office.
The timing raised immediate alarm across Washington. Removing the Army’s most senior uniformed officer during an active military campaign is virtually unprecedented in modern American history. The decision drew sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle, with defense analysts questioning whether internal disagreements over the war’s conduct or potential ground operations may have triggered the dismissal.
Among previous high-profile firings, Hegseth had already removed Admiral Lisa Franchetti (the Navy’s top officer), General Jim Slife (Air Force No. 2), and General Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. George’s deputy, General James Mingus, had also been replaced earlier.
UN Hormuz Resolution Stalls
At the United Nations, a Bahrain-backed resolution to authorize military force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — the critical waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes — hit a wall Thursday when Russia, China, and France opposed any language authorizing the use of force.
The initial Arab Gulf states’ draft would have allowed countries “to use all necessary means” in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman to secure passage and deter interference with navigation. But with three veto-wielding powers aligned against the force authorization, the resolution was watered down to a condemnation of Iran’s actions — passing 13-0 with Russia and China abstaining.
Iran has effectively blockaded the strait since early March, triggering a global energy crisis. Oil prices have surged relentlessly, hitting $108 a barrel on Thursday — a 7% single-day jump. The blockade has also raised alarm about food security, as fertilizer shortages tied to disrupted Middle East shipping threaten global agriculture.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Britain would host an international diplomatic conference this week focused on finding ways to reopen the strait — a sign that the world’s major economies are increasingly desperate for a resolution.
The Human Cost Mounts
Five weeks into the conflict, the toll continues to rise. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimates that at least 1,900 people have been killed and 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of the war, with more than 15,000 bombing raids conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces.
On the other side, Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Middle East have killed at least 50 people in Gulf nations. In Israel, at least 17 have been killed. The American death toll stands at 13 service members, with hundreds more wounded.
Thursday also brought fresh Iranian attacks: Israel’s emergency services reported 14 people wounded, including an 11-year-old girl, near Tel Aviv during a missile attack the military blamed on Iran. Tehran has vowed “more crushing, broader and more destructive” attacks in the future, with military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari declaring the war would continue until the “permanent regret and surrender” of Iran’s enemies.
Isfahan: The Nuclear Wild Card
Separately, footage confirmed as genuine this week showed a massive strike on a missile base in Isfahan — the city widely believed to house some or all of Iran’s 440-kilogram stockpile of 60% enriched uranium. In theory, that material could be used to produce up to 10 nuclear weapons if enriched to 90%.
There has been speculation that the Trump administration has considered a high-risk airborne raid to seize the radioactive material from its underground storage. However, Trump appeared to downplay the idea late Wednesday, saying the uranium was buried so deeply that “I don’t care” — though observers note the president has engaged in misdirection before. The war itself began with a surprise strike that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during what were thought to be productive nuclear negotiations.
What Comes Next
The situation is evolving by the hour. Trump’s two-to-three-week timeline puts a potential end date somewhere around mid-to-late April, but the gap between his “nearing completion” rhetoric and the simultaneous escalation of infrastructure attacks has left analysts deeply skeptical.
With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed, the Army’s top general fired without explanation, and the UN unable to authorize force to break the blockade, Day 34 has arguably produced more questions than answers. The only certainty: the bombs keep falling, the oil keeps climbing, and the world keeps watching.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.