Iran has begun to rebuild its missile manufacturing facilities after many of them were destroyed during the 12-day war with Israel, according to the Associated Press.
In June, Israel targeted multiple arms manufacturing facilities in Iran, largely crippling Tehran's weapon capabilities. Much of Iran's nuclear program was decimated during the strikes.
Missing mixers
One key component of the manufacturing process, the machinery used to mix solid fuel for missiles, however, is missing, according to the AP.
The equipment, known as planetary mixers, is more powerful than other mixers and is better suited for producing solid fuel. Solid fuel is more powerful than liquid fuel and increases the efficacy and power of projectiles.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC taken in early September reportedly showed two Iranian solid propellant plants from above. Multiple buildings that were destroyed by Israel were under construction, including buildings that previously housed planetary mixers, casting buildings, and control power buildings.
The AP reported that Iran has a history of obtaining the needed fuel mixers from China, although Chinese officials have not indicated that Tehran may have reached out to purchase more mixers.
Iran is currently under threat of nuclear sanctions from the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, including “snapback” sanctions, for alleged over-enrichment of uranium that violated a previous nuclear deal.