Iran’s war-battered infrastructure apparently isn’t staying battered for long. The Wall Street Journal reports on “faster-than-expected progress” based on a review of satellite photos and interviews with Western and Israeli officials. The progress is evident everywhere from mountain missile complexes to the key Caspian port of Bandar Anzali to bridges and industrial plants, according to the story. Near Kangavar, for example, a missile base access road and tunnel entrances struck in March were rebuilt within weeks, as seen via images from Planet Labs.
Publicly, Washington and Jerusalem cast the campaign as a decisive success that has wrecked Iran’s missile arsenal, navy, and production capacity. But outside analysts have a different view. “They refilled their stockpiles,” says Ran Kochav, a former Israeli commander. “They have very impressive industrialization and reconstruction capabilities.” Missile bases near Dezful and Kermanshah are already being dug out, and intelligence suggests nuclear-related equipment may be tucked into hardened tunnels. As one Israeli official put it: “Iran is rebuilding everything. I am very worried.” Read the full story.