Recent satellite imagery reveals significant expansion efforts at two Iranian ballistic missile production facilities. Researchers in the United States believe that the expansion is intended to increase production, a fact confirmed by Iranian government officials speaking on condition of anonymity. This, according to a Reuters report.

In October 2022, Iran signed a deal to supply missiles to Russia, which needs them for its war in Ukraine. Tehran also supplies missiles to the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both part of the 'Axis of Resistance' against Israel supported by Iran.

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs of the Modares military base, taken in March, and the Khojir missile production facility, taken in April, reveal over 30 new structures at the two bases near Tehran, operating under the supervision of the Revolutionary Guards.

Many of the structures are surrounded by characteristic earthen walls typical of missile production facilities and are designed to prevent the spread of explosions of explosive materials from one building to another, explains Jeffrey Lewis of the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Expansion of the Khojir facility began in August last year and at the Modares base in October. Three Iranian government officials approved the expansion of the two facilities to increase the production rate of ballistic missiles.

In some of the buildings, missile components are manufactured for sale to Russia, and parts of drones or drones intended for the Houthis and missiles for Hezbollah. An Iranian mission to the United Nations has refused to respond to Reuters' report, while Tehran denies producing missiles for Russia and the Houthis.