Iran has moved quickly to repair ballistic missile facilities damaged in strikes last year, while reconstruction at major nuclear sites has been slower and more limited, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing satellite imagery analysis.
The newspaper said the uneven pace suggests missile production has been a short-term priority. “Threatening Israel and US bases and allies in the region with missile attacks is one of Iran’s few options to deter repeat strikes on its nuclear facilities,” John P. Caves III, an expert at the US National Defense University, told the Times.
By contrast, experts said Iran’s main nuclear enrichment sites remain largely inoperative. “We haven’t seen any intensive recovery efforts to try to get equipment out of these facilities,” Joseph Rodgers of the Center for Strategic and International Studies was quoted as saying.
David Albright, head of the Institute for Science and International Security, said recent activity near nuclear sites was raising concern but added: “We don’t think it is urgent or imminent by any means.”