Iran has the ability to restore its missile bunkers within hours of being struck by US and Israeli airstrikes, according to a US intelligence assessment.
The New York Times reported Thursday that US intelligence agencies analyzed in a recent report that Iran has been digging out underground missile bunkers and storage facilities immediately after airstrikes, reactivating missile installations within hours.
While the underground bunkers may appear destroyed from the outside, Iran is rapidly excavating launch pads and putting them back into use, the report found.
In particular, US intelligence agencies believe Iran is storing more launch pads in bunkers to avoid US and Israeli attacks, the NYT reported. The agencies also assessed that Iran still possesses sufficient ballistic missiles and missile launcher capabilities to strike neighboring countries.
Reports from multiple foreign media outlets have indicated that Iran's missile and drone capabilities remain robust despite recent US airstrikes.
CNN previously reported, citing intelligence sources, that roughly half of Iran's missile launchers remain intact, and thousands of attack drones — about half of the country's total drone fleet — are still stored in arsenals.
Israeli daily Haaretz also reported that Iran has been using bulldozers to dig out missile launchers buried in underground bunkers.
The NYT noted that the intelligence assessment differs in tone from the Trump administration's public statements. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly had said that "Iran's ballistic missile and drone attacks have decreased 90% [compared to the early days of the conflict], its navy has been annihilated, two-thirds of its production facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and the US and Israel maintain overwhelming air superiority over Iranian airspace."