"Four Iranian Ballistic Missile Manufacturing Facilities Hit in One Month of Airstrikes"

Washington Post Reports, Citing Expert Testimony

The Washington Post (WP) reported that four major ballistic missile manufacturing facilities in Iran have been struck during the four weeks since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran. This conclusion is based on an analysis of satellite images by four experts commissioned by the WP.

According to Yonhap News Agency on March 30, citing the WP, the ballistic missile fuel production facilities and military complexes at Khojir, Parchin, Hakimiyeh, and Shahroud in Iran have been found to be severely damaged as a result of the recent airstrikes.

Amid ongoing clashes between the United States, Israel, and Iran, on the 28th, the trajectory of light from an interception attempt illuminated the sky over Ashkelon, Israel. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

In the early phase of the conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, there was a wave of large-scale Iranian missile retaliation. However, recently, the frequency of launches has dropped significantly and the scale of attacks has also decreased.

The four damaged facilities are responsible for producing both solid and liquid propellants used in missile fuel. The destruction of these facilities effectively brings ballistic missile production to a halt. The WP analyzed that the extent of the damage surpasses that of both the '12-Day War' between Iran and Israel in June last year and the Israeli attack on Iran in 2024.

Experts pointed out that Iran is likely to be unable to produce most of its short- and medium-range ballistic missiles until the damaged facilities are restored. In addition, they noted that at least 29 missile launch bases have been hit by airstrikes, severely weakening Iran's ballistic missile launch capability.

The total number of launch bases in Iran is estimated to be around 30. Experts told the WP that tunnel entrances leading to underground missile storage facilities were heavily bombarded, making it extremely difficult to access missiles stored inside. However, they also noted that Iran's ballistic missile program has not been completely destroyed.

Previously, Iran succeeded in rebuilding its missile program even after attacks by Israel and others. Experts believe that Iran has also secured overseas supply chains to replenish destroyed manufacturing equipment.

Currently, Iran is estimated to have a stockpile of 1,000 to 1,500 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones. In addition to its existing missile launch bases, Iran is also operating mobile missile launchers. The exact number of mobile launchers in Iran's possession is unknown.

Jeremy Binnie, an analyst at the military intelligence firm Janes, told the WP, "It seems difficult to permanently destroy these bases," adding, "While it is theoretically possible to neutralize them, Iran will continue to dig and repair its bases in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.