Recent satellite imagery has uncovered significant expansions at two key Iranian ballistic missile facilities near Tehran, according to a report by Reuters.
The images, captured by commercial satellite firm Planet Labs in March and April, show over 30 new structures at the Modarres military base and the Khojir missile production complex. American researchers Jeffrey Lewis and Decker Eveleth, who analyzed the imagery, believe these expansions are aimed at boosting missile production.
This assessment was corroborated by three senior Iranian regime officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The expansion of these facilities comes in the wake of Iran regime’s agreement in October 2022 to supply missiles to Russia for its conflict in Ukraine.
Tehran also reportedly provides missiles to Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, both aligned with Iran’s Axis of Resistance against Israel.
Many of the new structures are surrounded by large dirt berms, a feature associated with missile production facilities. These earthworks are designed to contain potential explosions, preventing them from spreading to nearby buildings housing combustible materials.
Iran regime’s missile arsenal, already the largest in the Middle East with an estimated 3,000 missiles, could see a significant boost in production capacity.
The Iranian regime officials confirmed that the expansions at Modarres and Khojir are intended to increase conventional ballistic missile production. One official also mentioned plans to double drone manufacturing capabilities.
The developments at these sites, which are overseen by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), raise concerns for the United States and its allies.
The U.S. has implemented various measures, including sanctions, to limit Iranian regime missile and drone production and exports.
While the exact types of missiles to be produced at these new facilities remain unclear, any increase in Tehran’s missile or drone production could have significant implications for regional security and ongoing conflicts.
The Iranian regime mission to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment on the facility expansions. Tehran has previously denied supplying drones and missiles to Russia and the Houthis
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