Israeli air strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps

# National Business Daily

April 1 – The Israeli military carried out airstrikes on the financial management headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran. On April 2, the Bayik Highway Bridge, an iconic Iranian engineering project set to open soon, was damaged in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack, fulfilling Trump's earlier threat to "target bridges." In response, Iran's president emphasized that the country would use all capabilities to defend itself and resolutely safeguard national security. Meanwhile, U.S. Tomahawk missile stocks are running low, and escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have prompted Gulf states to consider building new oil pipelines to bypass the waterway.

According to CCTV News, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on April 2 local time, saying that the Israeli Air Force had conducted airstrikes on multiple financial management headquarters of the IRGC in Tehran on April 1. These headquarters are responsible for managing funds for Iran's security apparatus and financing global military and "terrorist activities."

The IDF stated that these funds are mainly used for two core purposes: first, to fund and strengthen the military build-up of Iran's armed forces; second, to finance Iran's "proxy" organizations across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas, and the Houthi movement in Yemen.

### Iran's Landmark Engineering Project Damaged in U.S.-Israeli Attack

According to Xinhua News Agency, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported on April 2 that the Bayik Highway Bridge in Karaj, Iran—hailed as the tallest bridge in the Middle East and a masterpiece of Iranian engineering—was damaged in a U.S.-Israeli attack on the same day.

The report said the U.S. and Israel targeted the Bayik Highway Bridge, a flagship project in Iran's engineering sector regarded as one of the world's most complex engineering achievements. It forms a critical road infrastructure link in the Tehran-Karaj transportation corridor and was scheduled to officially open in the near future.

The attack damaged the bridge's main structure, and the affected road sections have been fully closed. Local authorities issued an emergency alert, urging residents to avoid the area. The strike also caused power outages in parts of Karaj, with power companies dispatching repair teams to the scene for emergency restoration.

U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to target Iranian bridges on April 1 local time. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said: "We're hitting bridges—we've hit some—and we're going to hit some more. I've got some good ones in mind."

### Iran's President: Will Defend National Security with All Capabilities

In a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on April 2 local time, Iranian President **Masoud Pezeshkian** stated that Iran would defend itself with firm resolve and all available capabilities.

Pezeshkian said Iran was attacked by the U.S. and Israel while engaged in negotiations with the United States, stressing that Iran would resolutely safeguard national security.

On the same day, Pezeshkian also spoke by phone with Finnish President Alexander Stubb to exchange views on regional developments. During the call, he criticized the EU's response to U.S. and Israeli actions, describing the stance of some European countries as "passive and even biased." He added that the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz is a result of U.S. and Israeli military operations, emphasizing that relevant measures comply with international law.

Stubb expressed concern about the current situation, stressing the need to de-escalate the conflict through diplomatic channels and offering assistance to that end.

### U.S. Military Stocks Depleted by Conflict

According to CCTV reports, U.S. media cited a recent document from U.S. Central Command stating that the U.S. military plans to build bunkers at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense is urgently seeking contractors to procure mobile shelter facilities to protect critical equipment such as fighter jets deployed in the region. The Pentagon has reportedly要求 contractors to deliver within the shortest possible timeframe of three days and specify the shelters' protection levels against blast and fragment impacts.

Furthermore, according to CCTV and Russia's Sputnik News Agency, conventional U.S. military forces are stretched to their limits by the conflict, with Tomahawk cruise missile consumption staggering. At a rate of over 850 missiles per month, existing stocks would last only about three months. Beyond Tomahawks, every missile launch depletes overall air defense and anti-missile reserves, with severe shortages in replenishment capacity.

Trump faces a dilemma: eager to exit the conflict but lacking a clear path; escalation would incur political costs, potentially leading to midterm election losses; withdrawal would leave Israel to face Iran alone. Iranian society opposes U.S.-Israeli attacks, the IRGC maintains ample missile stockpiles, and the "Mosaic Defense System" with decentralized operations makes further U.S. attacks costly and ineffective.

### UK Media Reveals Gulf States Considering New Pipelines to Bypass Hormuz

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Financial Times reported on April 2 that amid "uncertain prospects" for the Strait of Hormuz, some Gulf states are considering building new oil and gas pipelines to bypass the waterway for exports.

Gulf officials and industry executives said new pipelines may be the only solution, but the projects would be costly, politically complex, and take years to complete.

The report noted the ongoing Iran conflict has highlighted the strategic value of Saudi Arabia's 1,200-kilometer East-West Pipeline. Built in the 1980s, it transports 7 million barrels of crude oil daily to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia is now exploring ways to export more crude via pipelines, studying options to expand the East-West Pipeline's capacity or develop new routes.

Multiple pipeline projects have been proposed in the region previously but were shelved due to high costs and engineering complexity.

Christopher Bush, CEO of Lebanon-based private firm **Minmao Group**—one of the main contractors for Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline—said strong interest in new pipeline projects existed even before the conflict, but progress was hindered by high costs, security risks, and political challenges.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the UAE's Al-Ittihad newspaper reported on April 2 that UAE Minister of State Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan said the UAE is willing to participate in any measures ensuring navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz.

Khalifa stated the Strait of Hormuz is a vital international waterway governed by international law. The UAE will safeguard its legitimate rights and interests while willing to participate in collective actions to maintain regional stability.

### EU Lawmaker: Europe Must Stop Being U.S. Imperialist Puppet

According to CCTV News, Belgian Member of the European Parliament **Marc Botenga** said in an interview on April 2 local time: "If Europe wants to be a credible actor, we need to stop this blind following of the United States, this yes-man attitude, being a small puppet of U.S. imperialism."

He said the EU's subservience to Washington harms European interests, affecting everything from energy prices to the EU's standing in the Global South.

Botenga emphasized the EU's failure to sanction Israel over its "genocidal actions in Gaza" is "partly due to our obedience to the U.S.," while the reality is that Israel and the U.S.—longtime EU partners—are now seriously violating international law. The lawmaker warned EU inaction not only damages its image but risks weakening the international system based on human rights and the rule of law.

### Argentina Expels Iranian Chargé d'Affaires

According to CCTV News, Argentina announced on April 2 local time that it is expelling Iran's chargé d'affaires.

In a statement, Argentina's Foreign Ministry declared **Mohsen Sultani Tehrani**, chargé d'affaires at the Iranian Embassy in Argentina, persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours.

The ministry said the move responds to Iran's statement on April 1.

Argentina designated the IRGC as a "terrorist organization" on March 31. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the decision on April 1 as "illegal and baseless," saying it would harm bilateral relations.

Source: National Business Daily

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