The development is significant because the United States and Israel had claimed that their recent military operations had inflicted major damage on Iran’s missile capabilities. During the early stages of the war, heavy strikes targeted Iranian missile launch sites and industrial units with the stated aim of destroying the country’s missile production capacity.
However, intelligence indicates that Iran had already stockpiled several critical components. Those parts are now reportedly being moved to underground locations, where they are being assembled into missiles. The use of underground facilities is intended to protect the production process from airstrikes and allow work to continue without interruption.
Iran is producing two types of ballistic missiles. The first are liquid-propellant missiles, which must be fueled shortly before launch. The second are solid-propellant missiles, which can be prepared in advance, stored and launched when required. Solid-propellant missiles are considered more dangerous because they are easier to conceal for extended periods and significantly reduce the response time.
The United States and Israel had described the weakening of Iran’s missile capability during the war as a major achievement. They claimed that several production sites had been destroyed and that Iran’s missile stockpile had been substantially reduced. The latest intelligence reports indicating that production has resumed are raising questions about the credibility of those claims.
If Iran can continue producing missiles relatively easily at underground facilities, completely eliminating its missile capability through future airstrikes could prove difficult. The development presents a new challenge for regional security as tensions across the Middle East remain high. A growing Iranian missile capability could increase the threat faced by neighboring countries and Israel.
Solid-propellant missiles are a particular concern because they can be deployed quickly. Liquid-propellant missiles require time to be fueled, making them somewhat easier to detect and intercept. However, the continued production of both types of missiles remains a concern for the United States and its allies.
Iran has long adopted a strategy of keeping sensitive military facilities underground. It has built factories in mountainous areas and deep tunnels to protect them from airstrikes. That strategy appears to be continuing after the war. By using stockpiled components, Iran is reducing its dependence on new production plants. This could slow the pace of production, but it does not appear to have stopped it.
Analysts believe the development demonstrates how difficult it is to completely destroy a country’s military capability in modern warfare. Once stockpiles have been built and an underground network has been established, recovery remains possible even after military strikes.
The new challenge for the United States and Israel is how to locate and target these underground facilities. Diplomatic pressure and sanctions could also continue to be used to restrain Iran. Iran’s recovering missile capability could affect the security balance across the Middle East, with Gulf countries, Israel and the United States closely monitoring the development.
If the pace of production increases, Iran could feel more confident about its position, while opposing countries may have to further strengthen their defense systems. The issue is likely to remain a subject of discussion not only at the military level but also diplomatically. The international community will have to determine how Iran’s missile activities should be monitored and what further action should be taken.
Overall, the development indicates that Iran is not prepared to permanently lose its missile capability despite the war. With underground facilities and previously stockpiled components, it has gradually resumed production. Further intelligence is expected to emerge, but for now, the development represents a major challenge for the US-Israel alliance.
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