Report: Iran rebuilding missile production faster than expected

Iran has resumed production of ballistic missiles, launchers and other critical weapons systems far faster than initially expected following the recent war with Israel and the United States, according to a report by Channel 12 citing updated US intelligence assessments and a senior Israeli official.

According to the report, Tehran has restarted manufacturing using surviving components, improvised underground facilities, and partially restored production lines, with assistance from Russia and China.

The report says Israeli defense officials now assess Iran could rebuild its drone capabilities within months and significantly ramp up ballistic missile production within about a year, or possibly sooner.

Channel 12 reports that updated intelligence assessments also indicate that roughly two-thirds of Iran’s missile launchers remain operational, contradicting earlier wartime estimates that about half had been destroyed.

The report adds that US and Israeli intelligence officials are divided over how long Iran’s broader military reconstruction will take, though current estimates range from several months to a few years – rather than decades, as some officials previously claimed.

Yesterday, Channel 12 reported that senior Israeli officials warned that the proposed peace agreement between the US and Iran, which is reportedly expected to be announced in the coming days, does not address Tehran’s missile program or its regional proxy network.