Iran reopens struck missile bases

Iran has reopened 50 of the 69 tunnel entrances at 18 underground missile facilities hit by US-Israeli strikes

Iran has restored access to most underground missile facilities targeted during its recent conflict with the US and Israel, raising questions about the long-term impact of efforts to weaken Tehran’s missile arsenal, according to a CNN investigation based on satellite imagery.

The US and Israel targeted tunnel entrances, roads and launch infrastructure to trap missile stockpiles undergrou­nd and restrict launcher acce­ss. However, satellite images show Iran using bulldozers, loaders and dump trucks to clear debris, reopen tunnels and repair damaged roads.

Experts estimate Iran possesses about 1,000 missiles sto­red deep within underground facilities. Because many sites are buried beneath hundreds of metres of rock, analysts be­lieve stockpiles suffered limited damage as strikes largely focused on tunnel entrances. “They were preparing for this kind of war for 20 years. They are very prepared,” missile expert Timur Kadyshev said. US intelligence assessments indicate Iran has resumed some military production, including drone manufacturing and replacement of missile launchers.

Analysts say the findings underscore the limits of relying on strikes against tunnel entrances to neutralise Iran’s missile force. “The US military is good at delivering tactical successes,” Sam Lair of the James Martin Centre for Nonproliferation Studies said. “However, if that isn’t accompanied by reasonable strategic war aims and an achievable theory of victory, it can end up being a strategic failure.”