Netanyahu Warns of Iranian Nuclear Rebuild Amid Missile Activity

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Thursday evening that Iran is actively attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons capability. Speaking at the Western Wall ahead of the Rosh Hashanah holiday, the Israeli leader vowed that Tehran would not acquire a nuclear weapon as long as he remained in office. His remarks coincided with reports that Iran has resumed the production of ballistic missiles at subterranean sites, despite significant damage inflicted by previous military operations.

Netanyahu referenced recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that Iran is seeking to arm itself with nuclear weapons again. The Israeli prime minister noted that following the destruction of immediate production capabilities during recent operations, Tehran is making renewed efforts to restore its arsenal. He also highlighted ongoing Israeli military actions against what he described as the Iranian axis, including strikes in Gaza and Lebanon.

Underground Production Resumes

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran has restarted the assembly of both liquid-propellant and solid-propellant missiles in underground facilities. Intelligence suggests activity at several sites, including the Khojir military complex in southeastern Iran. Analysts note that while production rates remain lower than pre-conflict levels, Tehran is leveraging stockpiled components to assemble new weapons, bypassing the need to fully restore its damaged manufacturing network.

The resurgence of missile activity complicates the narrative that Iran’s military industrial base was functionally destroyed. Although U.S. and Israeli strikes reportedly damaged up to 90 percent of Iran’s drone and missile infrastructure, the ability to assemble weapons from existing parts undermines claims of total depletion. A U.S. official indicated that Iran likely resumed low-rate production after reaching a preliminary agreement with Washington to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in mid-June.

Assessing Military Capabilities

Former CIA analyst Jim Lamson told the Journal that the volume of missiles Iran can assemble depends heavily on the size of its remaining stockpiles and the operational status of underground facilities. Estimates range from hundreds to potentially thousands of missiles, reflecting the resilience of Tehran’s defense infrastructure. Despite depleting much of its finished warheads during the conflict, Iran retains the capacity to sustain missile barrages and has continued launching attacks on U.S. military positions across the region.

Diplomatic and Strategic Implications

The situation presents a complex challenge for diplomatic efforts aimed at winding down the conflict. While the White House maintains that Iran’s military has been severely weakened, the evidence of resumed assembly suggests that permanent dismantling of the program is more difficult than previously anticipated. Satellite imagery reviewed by the Journal indicates rapid repair of military infrastructure, highlighting the endurance of Iran’s strategic assets despite extensive external pressure.

As the geopolitical landscape shifts, observers will closely monitor whether Iran establishes new underground assembly sites to further protect its production capabilities. The interplay between military strikes and diplomatic negotiations remains uncertain, with both sides continuing to assert their respective positions on the scope of Iran’s remaining capabilities. The coming weeks may reveal whether these efforts lead to a sustainable de-escalation or a renewed escalation of hostilities in the region.