U.S. and Israel Conduct Airstrikes Near Mashhad in Northeastern Iran

On March 26, 2026, a combined U.S.-Israeli military force executed a series of airstrikes targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) infrastructure in Khorasan Razavi Province. The strikes were centered near Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city and a critical logistics hub for proxy networks in Central Asia. This operation represents the northeastern-most strikes conducted by the coalition to date, reaching a region approximately 1,500 kilometers away from the traditional conflict zones in the Strait of Hormuz. The targeted area serves as a strategic crossroads near the borders of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Analysts suggest the strikes may be intended to disrupt Iranian support for regional militias and the Taliban. While the Trump administration has previously focused on naval and nuclear-related infrastructure in southern Iran, this move into the northeast indicates a broadening of military objectives to include IRGC supply lines across the entire Iranian landmass. There have been no immediate reports detailing specific casualties or damage assessments from the Iranian government. However, the proximity of the strikes to Turkmenistan's natural gas pipelines has raised concerns regarding potential volatility in energy markets. Additionally, the presence of over 3 million civilians in Mashhad, a major Shia pilgrimage site, has prompted humanitarian interest regarding the risk of civilian disruption in future operations.