Recent satellite imagery has uncovered significant expansions at two key ballistic missile facilities in Iran, indicating a ramp-up in missile production efforts, as confirmed by senior Iranian officials and American researchers.
The satellite photos, taken by commercial firm Planet Labs, depict substantial growth at the Modarres military base and the Khojir missile production complex near Tehran. According to analysts at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, more than 30 new structures have emerged at these sites since last year, surrounded by large earth berms typical of missile production facilities.
The expansion reportedly began in August at Khojir and October at Modarres, coinciding with Iran’s agreement in October 2022 to supply missiles to Russia for its military operations in Ukraine. Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that these developments aim to bolster the production capacity of conventional ballistic missiles.
“We have every reason to expand our capabilities,” one official asserted, while another indicated that the new infrastructure could potentially double drone manufacturing and support ongoing supply agreements with Russia, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
However, Reuters was unable to independently verify these claims, and Iranian diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.
The Modarres and Khojir facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a pivotal organization overseeing Iran’s military and nuclear programs. These sites have historically been linked to Iran’s development of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, crucial for both defense and strategic influence in the region.
The expansion at Shahid Modarres holds particular significance, having resumed vigorous construction efforts after a devastating explosion in 2011 that claimed the lives of 17 IRGC officers, including General Hassan Moqaddam, a key figure in Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Analysts emphasize that the latest developments underscore Tehran’s ongoing commitment to advancing its missile capabilities, despite international scrutiny and sanctions aimed at curbing such activities.
