Satellite images show that Iran is carrying out large-scale new construction work near its two major missile bases.
Along with this, it is also repairing the military bases damaged in the American and Israeli air strikes that lasted for several months.
Experts from the British Intelligence Agency (MAIAR) have informed BBC Verify after reviewing satellite images.
The agency said that satellite images taken in November showed signs of excavation work and construction of new buildings at the Garamdareh military base in Karaj near Tehran and the Shahrud base in the north.
Repair signs at 12 locations
Additionally, "at least 12 other military bases also showed signs of repair. These include missile complexes and airports."
"New roofs have been built on destroyed buildings at the Kermanshah missile base in western Iran, near the Iraq border."
"Debris of damaged buildings has been removed from the Parchin military base, east of the capital. This is the same base which has been repaired several times after air strikes."
Jim Lamson, a former CIA analyst who monitored Iran, said, "The excavations taking place near Shahrud may be related to missile development."
End
"The airport near Shahrud has been targeted several times in recent years. So it is likely that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, is looking for ways to move its production centers underground."
Special stories selected for you by Nitin Srivastava
Learn more
An analyst of the British Intelligence Agency said that Iran has already been adopting the strategy of protecting the infrastructure from further attacks by taking it underground.
Mark Mallett, a defense analyst and former head of the Irish Army, said: "An additional benefit of building underground facilities is that it makes it more difficult for other countries to assess their capabilities and operational status."
In recent weeks, speculation has increased that the US may launch attacks on Iran again after this week's midterm elections.
But, on Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance said that voters did not like the war with Iran.
Referring to the defeat of the Republican Party, he said that because of this his party may lose control of the Senate for the next six years.
Iranian forces are carrying out small-scale repairs at several military bases across the country that have been seriously damaged in airstrikes since the start of the US-Israel war.
Experts say that satellite images indicate that large-scale construction work has been completed at the Talegan-2 facilities of the Parchin military base.
The debris of the damaged buildings in the pictures has been removed. Additionally, underground bunkers weakened by the attack have been repaired and reinforced with concrete.
Satellite images of Karaj and Shahrud show excavations taking place on a large scale.
Many vehicles have also been seen in satellite images of Karaj. Also, some repair work has been seen taking place at the nearby airport.
Sam Lear, a research analyst at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), said that the photos from the Karj show a new entry gate for an underground bunker.
He said, "His organization has studied in detail the developments on Iran's military bases in recent years."
According to Sean O'Connor, analyst at intelligence company 'Jane's', "The purpose of this construction work is not to mislead foreign intelligence agencies."
He said, "Such projects are very expensive and do not yield much benefit."
America and Iran's claims
The White House has repeatedly said that the Iranian armed forces have suffered significant losses due to the attacks by America and Israel.
US President Donald Trump had described the Iranian army as completely scattered.
Earlier, a Pentagon spokesperson had said that America has destroyed up to 90 percent of Iran's drones, ballistic missiles and naval industrial infrastructure.
He had said, "After the attacks, Iran's ability to carry out drone and missile attacks has weakened to a great extent."
But, Iran claims that it still has a large stockpile of missiles.
A video broadcast on state TV this week showed dozens of missiles at the entrance of an underground facility in southern Iran. Iran claims that this is the same place.
Earlier in August also, government TV had broadcast a video.
In that video it was claimed that Khordad surface-to-air missiles were seen coming out of a tunnel near the southern city of Bandar Abbas.
An MAIAR analyst also identified new construction work and excavations outside the tunnel entrances near the city of Qom.
This area is close to the Fordow underground uranium enrichment base. America and Israel have bombed Fordo base several times.
Mark Cantian, a military analyst with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said this activity related to military resources shows that Iran is preparing for possible further American and Israeli attacks.
He said, "Its purpose is to better protect ourselves from future attacks."
He said, "This is an indication that Iran is currently giving more priority to rebuilding its military capability rather than getting the economy back on track."
Published by Collective Newsroom for the BBC.
Download the new BBC World Service app
Choose BBC News Hindi and get news alerts, live TV, podcasts... all in one place
Please note: The new app is not available in the UK and US.
short video
end of short video
