Satellites: Iran rehabilitates missile facilities after US and Israeli strikes
Iranian missile facilities: 50 entrances reopened after US and Israeli strikes
At a time when the repercussions of the recent war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other continue to cast their shadow over the regional scene, satellite images reveal new developments regarding Iranian missile facilities.
These findings highlight the pace of rehabilitation work inside a number of military sites that were bombed, amid ongoing debate over the extent of damage to Iran’s missile capabilities and the impact of the strikes on the long-term readiness of these facilities.
Reopening most tunnel entrances in Iranian missile facilities
Satellite images published by CNN show that Iran has reopened 50 out of 69 tunnel entrances located in 18 underground Iranian missile facilities that were targeted during the forty-day war.
According to the report, Iran used relatively simple engineering equipment, including bulldozers and dump trucks, to remove rubble and open roads leading to tunnels that were closed or damaged by US and Israeli strikes.
These findings indicate that rehabilitation work accelerated during the weeks following the ceasefire, with a clear focus on restoring access to Iran’s underground missile facilities and restarting associated infrastructure.
Experts: Targeting tunnel entrances does not decide fate of missile capabilities
In their assessment of the images, experts who spoke to the American network said that targeting tunnel entrances does not necessarily mean disabling Iran’s missile capabilities or destroying military stockpiles inside these facilities.
The experts explained that many missiles and military equipment may be stored deep underground, which could reduce the impact of strikes that primarily targeted entrances and access roads to the tunnels.
They believe that the speed of reopening a large number of entrances raises questions about the effectiveness of targeting tunnel entrances alone in disabling Iranian missile facilities for long periods, especially given the ability of engineering teams to remove the effects of bombing and rehabilitate sites in a limited time frame.
Estimates of continued missile stockpile inside fortified sites
The rehabilitation work observed by satellites reinforces estimates that a significant portion of Iran’s missile capabilities remain inside fortified underground facilities.
According to experts quoted by CNN, Iran is believed to still hold about 1,000 missiles stored in underground sites, which could allow it to maintain part of its military capabilities if the region witnesses a new round of escalation.
The network also quoted a US official as saying that Iran has exceeded all timelines set by US intelligence agencies to rebuild its capabilities, referring to the speed of repair and rehabilitation operations carried out after the war ended.
Iran has reopened underground missile sites after satellite images showed previously blocked tunnel entrances being rapidly cleared using heavy machinery, a development analysts say highlights the limits of US and Israeli bombing strategies aimed at degrading its missile… pic.twitter.com/6DhF83VgBB
— AE News (@aenewsEnglish24) May 31, 2026
Road and facility repairs after the ceasefire
Since the ceasefire agreement entered into force on April 8, satellite images have shown a notable acceleration in rehabilitation work inside several Iranian missile facilities.
According to the report, this work included repairing roads damaged during the war and reopening passages previously used to transport missile launch platforms and military equipment.
The images also showed that most of the craters resulting from US and Israeli strikes have been filled in, while some roads have been completely repaved in certain sites that suffered direct damage during military operations.
Isfahan and Khomein: Examples of rehabilitation work
At an Iranian missile facility located outside the city of Isfahan, images showed that the United States and Israel carried out several strikes targeting four tunnel entrances during the war.
According to the report, at least 18 bomb craters could be observed near two of these entrances, reflecting the scale of munitions used in an attempt to close them and prevent their use.
However, images taken in early May showed trucks and heavy equipment being used to fill craters and remove rubble, as damaged entrances were reopened and destroyed roads repaired.
At another site outside the city of Khomein, an image taken in mid-April showed at least ten construction vehicles working to reopen a tunnel entrance and remove bombing effects, indicating ongoing rehabilitation operations at more than one Iranian missile facility.
Developments coincide with diplomatic path stalemate
These developments come as diplomatic efforts related to the crisis continue to face difficulties in achieving tangible progress, despite ongoing statements about the possibility of reaching understandings between the parties involved.
In contrast, US warnings continue about the potential return to the military option if political paths falter, while Tehran adheres to its conditions and demands in any potential agreement.
Against this backdrop, satellite images reflect continued activity inside Iranian missile facilities alongside a state of political anticipation, keeping the file of Iranian missile capabilities and US-Israeli strikes among the main issues being followed by regional and international parties in the current phase.
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