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Satellite images show Iran expanding and repairing military sites near missile bases
Satellite imagery indicates Iran is carrying out substantial construction near missile sites at Karaj and Shahroud, while repairing facilities damaged in US and Israeli air strikes. The activity matters because it may help preserve or restore military infrastructure, though analysts say the images cannot establish exactly what is being built or its operational purpose.
The November images show excavation and new buildings at the two sites, and signs of repairs at at least 12 other military locations. Analysts suggest work at Shahroud could be linked to missile production and that Iran may be moving facilities underground; they also point to rebuilt roofs at Kermanshah and repairs at Parchin. The US has claimed its strikes destroyed up to 90% of Iran’s drone, missile and naval industrial base, while Iran says it retains large missile stockpiles.
In short
- Images show construction near two major Iranian missile sites.
- At least 12 other military locations appear to be undergoing repairs.
- Analysts say underground facilities could protect infrastructure and obscure its status.
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The case for
Iran can argue that repairing damaged facilities and improving protection for military sites are legitimate steps to restore defence and deter further attacks. The imagery does not establish what is being built or whether the work supports weapons production, so treating construction alone as proof of an offensive plan would go beyond the evidence.
The case against
The scale and location of the construction and repairs, including near missile sites, may reasonably raise concern that Iran is restoring or expanding capabilities that could threaten others. If work is linked to missile production or moved underground, that could make the facilities harder to monitor and weaken confidence in claims that earlier strikes substantially reduced Iran’s military capacity.
Explained simply
Iran’s missile programme is run by the state and supported by military sites used to develop, produce or store weapons. Karaj and Shahroud are among locations associated with missile activity, while other sites, including Parchin and Kermanshah, have also been linked to military work.
The United States and Israel have carried out air strikes on Iranian military facilities, and Iran has said it retains substantial missile stockpiles. Satellite images can show changes to buildings and land, but cannot by themselves confirm what a facility does or how much it can produce.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Major construction ongoing near Iran missile bases, satellite images suggest”.