Satellite Images Show Iran Rapidly Rebuilding Sites Hit by US and Israeli Strikes

*WSJ review finds extensive reconstruction at missile bases, ports and factories, raising questions about effectiveness of strikes*

Iran has rebuilt a significant amount of infrastructure damaged during its recent war with the US and Israel, including bridges, missile bases and ports, _The Wall Street Journal_ reported Thursday.

Based on a review of satellite imagery, the report said Tehran’s speed in restoring damaged capabilities has helped it sustain operations against the US amid renewed hostilities this month over disputes in the Strait of Hormuz.

One set of images showed an access road to a missile base in Kangavar, western Iran, damaged in strikes in early March. Weeks later, a newly paved road was visible leading to the base entrance, despite the earlier damage.

Other images obtained by the _WSJ_ showed reconstruction underway in early July at the Bandar Anzali port, which Israel said in March was linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel had claimed significant damage to the port, an IRGC command center and an adjoining shipyard.

A third site documented by the newspaper was a missile production plant near Tehran, where rebuilding was visible in recent weeks.

*Israeli Officials Question Strike Strategy*

According to the outlet, Israeli military officials cited these cases as evidence that the bombing campaign launched on February 28 was ineffective.

One official suggested Israel should have focused exclusively on military infrastructure instead of expanding targets to include regime bodies, arguing that would have inflicted more lasting damage. 

A second official told the _WSJ_ that Iran is capable of rebuilding almost everything that was hit.

Satellite images from Planet Labs cited by the newspaper showed a missile base in Dezful was struck in June 2025 and again in March 2026, with strikes burying the site’s entrance. Yet months later, Airbus imagery showed Iranians digging out tunnels to regain access.

*US and Israel Claimed Extensive Damage*

The images cast doubt on the efficacy of extensive US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in June 2025 and in the current round of fighting.

Following last year’s US attacks, President Donald Trump said forces had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear sites.

After a ceasefire in early April, Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff