Israeli security officials are warning that Iran’s ballistic missile threat is far from eliminated. While Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion have delivered devastating blows — with over 1,200 bombs dropped in the opening 24 hours and roughly half of Iran’s launchers reportedly destroyed — Tehran is attempting to preserve what it can. Intelligence assessments indicate that missile systems are being hidden underground, reserved for “the day after.” Even as Israel and the United States strike production sites, engine facilities, and explosives plants, the regime appears determined to maintain a residual strike capability.

Prior to the current campaign, Israeli intelligence identified an alarming acceleration in Iran’s missile production, including ambitions to amass up to 8,000 missiles by 2027. Summer 2025 strikes disrupted plans to manufacture an additional 1,500 launchers, yet the regime’s strategy has clearly been long-term and layered. Since hostilities escalated, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli cities and Gulf targets, hitting civilian infrastructure such as airports, hotels, and shopping centers. The pattern is unmistakable: preserve, rebuild, retaliate. Even under intense bombardment, Tehran is preparing for continuity.