Iran expands ballistic missile facilities, reveals new satellite images
Modarres military base and the Khojir missile production complex near Tehran, as reported by Reuters.
Key Sites and Developments
The imagery from Planet Labs shows structures surrounded by large dirt berms, which are typical for missile production to prevent explosions from spreading. Jeffrey Lewis from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey noted that construction at Khojir began in August last year, while Modarres' expansion started in October.
Iran's Missile Supply to Russia and Allies
This development follows an October 2022 agreement where Iran agreed to provide missiles to Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine. Six sources told Reuters that Iran has provided Russia with a significant number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. Three Iranian sources mentioned that the provision includes around 400 missiles, including those from the Fateh-110 family of short-range ballistic weapons, such as the Zolfaghar.
Increased Drone Manufacturing
In addition to missiles, the new buildings will enable a doubling of drone production. Drones and missile components will be sold to Russia, drones provided to the Houthis, and missiles to Hezbollah. One Iranian official stated, “Why shouldn’t we?” indicating the strategic importance of these expansions. Another official added that the new buildings would allow a significant increase in drone manufacturing capabilities.
Strategic Concerns for the US and Israel
The increase in missile and drone production is a major concern for the
