The New York Times reported overnight Friday into Saturday, citing intelligence reports obtained by the newspaper, that Iran is rapidly repairing missile bunkers struck by the United States and Israel. According to the report, Iranian forces are restoring launch shafts and underground bunkers to operational use within hours of being hit.
The intelligence assessments also indicate that the Islamic Republic has retained a significant number of missiles and mobile launchers.
Footage of a strike on a missile launcher in central Iran
(Video: IDF Spokesperson)
The Times report noted that the Pentagon and the White House said this week they had made significant progress against Iran. A Pentagon briefing said US forces have struck 11,000 targets in Iran since the war began. However, US intelligence agencies are said to be questioning how close Washington is to eliminating Iran’s missile capabilities, a key objective defined by President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to US officials briefed on the matter, intelligence agencies have not been able to assess with high confidence how many launchers Iran has left. Still, Iran retains the ability to use its remaining stockpiles of ballistic missiles and launchers to strike Israel and other countries in the region.
Despite military gains by the United States and Israel against Iran’s clerical regime and the heavy damage inflicted over the past five weeks, US intelligence agencies believe Iran is increasingly moving launchers into bunkers and caves to protect them from further strikes. According to US officials, Tehran aims to preserve as much of its launch capability as possible in order to maintain pressure and threaten the region, whether the war continues or ends.
The report added that the United States is struggling to form an accurate assessment of Iran’s current launch capabilities, in part because Tehran is deploying numerous decoys. US officials are uncertain how many of the launchers identified and destroyed were real and how many were part of a deception effort.
It also said US officials are finding it difficult to determine how many missile launchers were inside the bunkers and caves targeted by US and Israeli strikes. While initial assessments suggested the sites were heavily damaged, Iranian forces have in practice been able to dig out the launchers and return them to use.
CNN previously reported that Iran still holds roughly half of its missile launchers. US officials told the Times that this figure falls within the range outlined in intelligence assessments, although those reports did not specify an exact number of remaining launchers.
First published: 08:41, 04.04.26