Iran rapidly rebuilding military sites despite US, Israeli strikes: WSJ

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Iran has begun rebuilding its military facilities and infrastructure damaged by US and Israeli strikes at a pace faster than anticipated, citing satellite imagery and statements from Israeli and Western officials.

The newspaper explained that reconstruction efforts have included missile bases inside mountains, bridges, ports, and production facilities. This has raised concerns among Israeli officials about the effectiveness of the air campaign, which, according to the report, involved more than 20,000 strikes at the height of the conflict, with operations still ongoing along Iran’s coasts.

Satellite images reveal reconstruction details

Images captured by Planet Labs and Airbus showed tunnel entrances near the city of Kangavar in western Iran reopening just weeks after being targeted, along with new roads and excavation work to restore a missile base that had been attacked. The newspaper also quoted an Israeli military official who said Iran managed to repair a bombed bridge in just a few days, while recent images revealed reconstruction at the shipyard in Bandar Anzali port, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Similarly, Ran Kochav, former head of Israel’s air and missile defense system, noted that the speed of reconstruction reflects Iran’s industrial capabilities, pointing out that Tehran had previously rebuilt large parts of its infrastructure and replenished its missile stockpile after last year’s 12-day war.

Conflicting assessments of the military campaign

Despite ongoing widespread damage, the newspaper noted that the rapid pace of reconstruction contradicts statements by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserted that the campaign dealt a crippling blow to Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities. In contrast, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the military operation succeeded in destroying a significant portion of Iran’s missile and production capabilities and weakening its naval forces, describing it as a “major victory.”

The report added that the US military continued its strikes for a twelfth consecutive day, targeting missile and drone sites, command centers, and military infrastructure as part of efforts to weaken Iranian influence in the Strait of Hormuz. Nevertheless, the newspaper noted that Iran continued to attack ships and launch missiles at US allies in the region.

Iran’s missile capabilities and future outlook

The newspaper quoted analyst Tal Inbar as saying that reports of Iran’s missile stockpile being depleted were inaccurate, emphasizing that Tehran still maintains effective missile capabilities. Israeli military officials also expressed frustration with the campaign’s results, arguing that Iran has already begun rebuilding most targeted sites and that strikes on tunnel entrances at missile bases did not destroy the deep facilities or the weapons stored inside.

Satellite images showed rehabilitation work at missile bases in Dezful and northern Kermanshah, as well as the reconstruction of buildings at the Raja Shimi Industries facility near Tehran, which is believed to be involved in missile component production.

James Lamson, a researcher at King’s College London and former CIA analyst, noted that rebuilding some specialized facilities could take months or years, but suggested Iran likely stored strategic components in underground sites, allowing it to resume missile and drone production in the near term.

Israeli intelligence: Iran determined to restore capabilities

The Wall Street Journal concluded its report by noting that Israeli intelligence agencies believe Iran may have moved thousands of centrifuges into tunnels inside the Pekaks mountain, potentially enhancing its ability to rebuild its nuclear program. The newspaper confirmed that Tehran appears determined to restore its military capabilities, regardless of the time or cost involved.