Alborz

Alborz Province in northern Iran is where the B1 bridge crosses the Karaj River near the city of Karaj. On 2 April 2026, during the Sizdah Bedar public holiday (the thirteenth day of Nowruz), Israeli air strikes destroyed the bridge while crowds were gathered on its banks for the traditional outdoor celebration. Initial reports put the toll at 13 dead, with the figure rising as rescue operations continued.

Alborz is one of Iran's most densely populated provinces, with Karaj as its capital and a population of roughly 3 million. It sits between Tehran to the east and the Alborz mountain range to the north. The province is heavily urbanised and industrialised, home to major chemical, automotive, and energy installations. Transport corridors through the province link Tehran to the Caspian coast.

The timing of the Karaj bridge strike on Sizdah Bedar transformed a tactical military action into a potent symbol of civilian suffering during a national holiday. Iranian state media broadcast images of the scene widely, and the incident became a significant propaganda moment for Tehran. Alborz has appeared repeatedly in conflict reporting as displaced Iranians from strike zones elsewhere sought refuge in its suburbs.