Strike on Mershon Intersection Bridge

Airstrikes conducted on Thursday afternoon, 5 March 2026, included the targeting and damage to Mershon intersectional bridge, which links the old road from the city of Abhar to the northern lanes of the Freeway. The two airstrikes included one strike on the Pasargad roadside restaurant complex killing 17 civilians and injuring 12, a second strike that damaged the Mershon intersection bridge located less than 4 km away, just north of the Pasargad roadside complex. It is unclear which of the two targets were struck first.

A clip published by Mehr News Agency appears to show damage to the Mershon intersectional bridge. This clip also shows first responders from the Red Crescent on site and large traces of smoke bellowing in the distance nearby.¹ The attacks, particularly the attack on the intersectional (Mershon) bridge, led to the temporary closure of northern access routes to the Freeway.²

It was later reported by Tasnim News Agency that one lane of the three lanes along the northern route to the Freeway had been reopened to traffic after just 48 hours. A deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development is reported to have stated that the estimated damage from the freeway accident was estimated to reach IRR 80 billion.³