Analysis of satellite images suggests Iran is carrying out significant new construction near at least two major missile sites and repairing bases damaged by months of US and Israeli air strikes, BBC News reported.
Analysts at the British intelligence company MAIAR reviewed November satellite imagery. They told BBC Verify that digging and new buildings are visible at the Garmdareh base in Karaj, near Tehran, and at the Shahroud base in the north.
At least 12 other military sites, including missile complexes and air bases, appear to show signs of repair, according to the report. These include new roofs on destroyed buildings at the Kermanshah missile base and cleared damaged buildings and debris at the Parchin complex.
Analysts said the images appear to show significant construction completed at the Taleghan 2 facility at Parchin. They said damaged buildings were levelled, and an underground bunker hit in attacks was repaired and reinforced with concrete.
A MAIAR analyst also identified new construction and excavation outside tunnel entrances near Qom, close to the Fordo underground uranium enrichment complex. The US and Israel have bombed Fordo several times.
Outside analysts offered differing readings of the activity. Former CIA analyst Jim Lamson said the excavations near Shahroud could be linked to missile production. He said the IRGC is probably seeking to move production facilities underground, since the nearby air base has been targeted several times.
Sam Lair of the FPRI said the Karaj images appear to show "a new portal for an underground facility".
Sean O'Connor of Janes said the construction is unlikely to be an effort to deceive foreign intelligence. He said such a project "would be costly and may achieve little".
Mark Cancian of CSIS said the activity shows Tehran is preparing for further US and Israeli attacks. He said: "The purpose is to better defend itself against future attacks". He added: "It also indicates a priority on rebuilding military capability rather than rehabilitating the economy."
The findings come as the two sides give different accounts of Iran's military strength. A Pentagon spokesperson previously said the US had destroyed up to 90% of Iran's drone, ballistic missile and naval industrial base. The spokesperson said the US had significantly degraded Iran's ability to launch drone and missile attacks.
Iran claims it retains large missile stockpiles. State TV footage broadcast this week claimed to show dozens of missiles at the entrance to an underground facility in southern Iran.
Speculation has grown that the US could resume attacks on Iran after the midterm elections. Vice-President JD Vance said on Wednesday that the war's unpopularity with voters hurt Republicans in the poll. He said it may have cost the party Senate control for six years.