Iran has resumed large-scale production of ballistic missiles about six months after its 12-day war with Israel, a senior IDF official told lawmakers in a closed Knesset briefing, according to Israeli news outlet Ynet.
The briefing, described by several participants, said Iran is rapidly restoring its missile manufacturing capacity after suffering heavy damage in June strikes.
The IDF official warned that Tehran’s missile program is “recovering at a fast pace” and remains a top strategic priority for Iran’s military planners.
The warning came as Iran intensified missile and drone testing during large-scale military exercises in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea.
Last week, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy said a new missile tested during the drills had a range beyond the length of the Persian Gulf, without specifying the exact distance. “The Persian Gulf is 1,375 kilometers long – this missile’s range is beyond that,” Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said on state television.
Tangsiri said the weapon, built domestically by the IRGC Navy, “can be guided after launch” and demonstrated “very high precision.” State media said the exercises also involved ballistic and cruise missile fire, drone operations, and air defense maneuvers around the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s southern islands.
Iran’s missiles have a declared range of up to 2,000 kilometers, which officials say is sufficient for deterrence and covers Israel. The United States and its allies have urged Tehran to limit missile development to under 500 kilometers — a demand Iran has repeatedly rejected.