Iran Resumes Missile Production at Underground Sites, Including the Khejar Facility

Intelligence agencies have detected activity at several secret Iranian sites, including the rocket facility "Khejar" in the country's southeast, with the establishment of new underground assembly points to reduce the risk of further attacks, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper cited U.S. officials stating that Iran has resumed ballistic missile production using stored components and operating in underground facilities, undermining what the United States and Israel considered a major achievement of the war.

The Khejar facility is known as one of the most important and prominent military and industrial installations under Iran's Ministry of Defense, located in a mountainous region east of the capital Tehran near the area of "Parchin".

The newspaper quoted officials saying that despite intensive attacks targeting its rocket sites and industrial facilities during the first phase of the war, Iran continued assembling liquid-fuel rockets—requiring fueling immediately before launch—and solid-fuel rockets that can be stored ready for deployment.

Officials noted that intelligence indicates activities at multiple underground sites, including the Khejar rocket facility in southeastern Iran, adding that Iran is also seeking to establish new underground assembly sites to avoid further strikes.

The current production level is significantly lower than pre-war levels, as key missile manufacturing facilities and component production sites were damaged, and the maritime blockade has made importing essential materials and parts difficult.

Satellite imagery suggests Iran is rebuilding damaged roads, bridges, and production sites, and has reopened tunnel entrances at rocket bases that were previously bombed.

Analysts estimate the size of the rebuildable stockpile could reach hundreds or even thousands of missiles, depending on the quantity of intact components and the number of facilities still operational.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Burnell said the United States destroyed up to 90% of Iran's industrial base linked to drones, missiles, and naval forces, and that Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones has declined significantly.

However, the report indicates the strikes weakened but did not eliminate the program. Iran retained stockpiles of warheads, airframes, guidance systems, and underground facilities, allowing it to reassemble part of its capabilities.

One analyst noted that Iran still possesses thousands of ballistic missiles and continues to use various types, including the Khaybar Shikan missile, against American targets in the region.

The report also mentioned Iranian missile launches directed at U.S. forces in Jordan, as well as recent Iranian attacks coming close to U.S. naval vessels without directly hitting them.

Experts believe Iran's missile program was designed from the outset to withstand attacks and rebuild itself. Facilities are spread across wide areas, and a large portion of the production infrastructure and stockpiles are located underground.

Expert Nicole Grauksy notes that targeting facilities and missiles alone does not necessarily eliminate the program, as Iran deliberately built this complex infrastructure in anticipation of such attacks.