Iran Resumes Ballistic Missile Production
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Iran Resumes Ballistic Missile Production
- Iran has reportedly resumed producing ballistic missiles using stockpiled components in underground facilities, despite previous attacks on its missile sites.
- This resurgence in production includes both liquid-propellant and solid-propellant missiles, and comes after Iran's ballistic missile arsenal was estimated to have decreased to approximately 2,500 by February 2026.
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Recent intelligence findings indicate that Iran is once again assembling ballistic missiles from existing components within underground facilities. This development follows a period of significant conflict in which Iran’s missile sites and industrial infrastructure faced heavy attacks. Despite these setbacks, officials from the U.S. and Middle East familiar with the matter report that Iran is actively engaged in assembling both liquid-propellant and solid-propellant missiles. Liquid-propellant missiles, such as the Shahab-1 and Shahab-2, require fueling just before launch, while solid-propellant missiles can be stored in a ready-to-fire state.
Prior to the June 2025 conflict, Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal was estimated to be around 3,000 missiles. Following that 12-day conflict, during which Israel reportedly destroyed hundreds of missiles, Iran initiated intensive efforts to rebuild its capabilities. By February 2026, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) assessments indicated that Iran’s arsenal had grown to approximately 2,500 missiles, with dozens reportedly produced each month.
Iran’s missile program, the largest in the Middle East, is a crucial element of its military and defense strategy. It aims to project regional power and achieve geopolitical objectives, often described as “deterrence through retaliation” against adversaries. The program also supports non-state allies in West Asia and bolsters national defense, particularly given that international sanctions have limited Iran’s ability to modernize its air force. Iran’s missile inventory predominantly features short-range (up to 1,000 kilometers) and medium-range (1,000–3,000 kilometers) ballistic missiles, with long-range ballistic missiles (over 3,000 kilometers) reportedly in advanced stages of development.