Satellite images reveal that Iran is rapidly rebuilding its missile bases, which were significantly degraded by recent airstrikes, according to a new report. The construction includes digging underground tunnels at key military sites, according to analysts with the British intelligence company MAIAR.
Photos taken in November show evidence of construction and digging at two major Iranian military bases: the Garmdareh base in Karaj, near Tehran, and the Shahroud base in the north. At least 12 other military sites, including missile complexes and airbases, also show signs of repairs and construction, BBC Verify reported.
MAIAR analysts suggest Iran is employing a strategy of moving infrastructure underground to protect it from future strikes. Mark Mellett, a defense analyst and former head of the Irish military, told the BBC that this tactic makes it more difficult for adversaries to ascertain Iran's full operational capabilities.
Jim Lamson, a former CIA analyst and Iran expert, told the BBC that the excavations near Shahroud could be related to missile production. He believes the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps are likely attempting to move their production facilities underground after their nearby airbase was repeatedly targeted.
Maxar satellite imagery analyzed by Janes Defense Intelligence also identified tunnel entrances at the Karaj base, along with structures that suggest a possible expansion of damaged or destroyed missile facilities. Sam Lair, a research analyst at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, noted that the excavations near Karaj appear to indicate the construction of a new entrance for an underground facility.
This rapid rebuilding effort is likely a response to anticipated further attacks from the United States and Israel. Mark Cancian, a military analyst with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested that the construction intensified after a temporary pause in U.S. strikes before the midterm elections.
The report follows a statement from Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, who told The Wall Street Journal that the U.S. had destroyed up to 90% of Iran's drone, ballistic missile, and naval industrial base. Despite these setbacks, Iranian state media claims the country retains large stockpiles of missiles. In September, U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal indicated that Iran had resumed the production of liquid-propellant ballistic missiles, undermining efforts by the Trump administration.
Experts told The Post that President Trump has a limited window after the midterm elections to potentially renew military actions against Iran before a new Congress could restrict his war powers. While the president has threatened to "finish the job" if Iran does not meet his demands, Tehran continues to pursue diplomatic channels and increase regional threats.