POLITICS: Iran Racing to Build More Ballistic Missiles; Israel Racing to Shore Up Its Anti-Missile Defenses – USSA News

While President Trump has been focusing on curbing Iran’s uranium enrichment program, the Israelis are much more worried about the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missiles. Iran has between 1,500 and 2,000 missiles still intact after the 12-Day War last June, when about 1,500 were destroyed, and its missile plants have been producing between 50 and 300 new missiles each month. The Israelis know that Iran’s nuclear program was severely damaged in that war, though not, as Trump said, “obliterated,” and will become a threat only in two years or more, but the ballistic missiles Iran possesses are a threat right now. Iran is racing to build more of those missiles, while Israel is racing to shore up its anti-missile defenses. More on both efforts, by Israel and by Iran, can be found here: “Iran Races to Rebuild Missile Arsenal, Israel Tests Upgraded Defenses Amid Fragile US Nuclear Talks,” by Ailin Vilches Arguello, Algemeiner, February 12, 2026:

As the prospect of renewed conflict looms, Iran is scrambling to restore its battered missile capabilities while Israel tests upgraded air defenses and accelerates military preparations for a potential confrontation.

Iran had 25 key sites housing long-range ballistic missile capabilities, 19 of which were struck during last June’s 12-day war, when the US and Israel bombed the regime’s nuclear facilities, according to Israel’s Channel 14.

The outlet’s latest report, drawing on satellite imagery, research by the Alma Institute for Middle Eastern Studies, and confirmations from security officials, reveals that all sites were equipped with underground infrastructure and suffered extensive surface and subterranean damage.

Yet, with the shadow of a new conflict looming, Iran has rushed to restore its shattered defense capabilities, reportedly completing some partial repairs already.

As of last month, the country’s main launch bases — whose surfaces suffered moderate to severe damage — appear to show clear signs of recovery and resumed operational activity.

Israeli officials estimate that the Islamist regime now possesses at least twice the missile arsenal it deployed in past attacks.

However, Iran’s missile launch capacity remains limited by shortages of launchers and rocket fuel, even as it reportedly works to restore these critical components as well….

Washington and Tehran resumed negotiations last Friday in Oman, marking the first direct engagement between US and Iranian officials since nuclear talks collapsed after the 12-day war in June.

With the chances of a deal still uncertain, US President Donald Trump has simultaneously launched a massive military buildup in the Gulf, pressuring the Iranian regime to return to the negotiating table if it wants to prevent a potential conflict.

But Trump has reiterated he really wants to make a “deal,” and will do his damnedest to avoid having to attack Iran. The Israelis are alarmed by his apparent unwillingness to use force against Iran, for they believe there is no other way both to make Iran halt its nuclear program, and more importantly right now, to end its ballistic missile production and to limit the number of ballistic missiles it will keep from its current store.

Yes, the Iranians and the Israelis both know that Iran’s ballistic missile program is right now the most important issue for both. For it will take years for Iran to bring its nuclear program back up to the level it had reached just before the Twelve-Day War. And right now, Iran has 2,000 ballistic missiles ready to be launched at Israel, and the Islamic Republic is currently producing up to 300 more missiles each month. This is Israel’s nightmare: that it has so far been unable to convince Donald Trump, so dead-set on “making deals,” that the ballistic missile threat is an immediate one. Unlike after other meetings they have had in the past, Trump and Netanyahu did not meet with the press. Netanyahu released a laconic statement about his having stated Israel’s security concerns, and Trump said that he “insisted” to Netanyahu that the talks with Iran should continue. Netanyahu left the White House by a back entrance, to avoid having to talk to the press.

The Israelis can only hope that Iran sticks to its maximalist position, refuses to stop enriching uranium, and continues to hold onto the 400 kg. of uranium it has enriched to a level of 60%, one step below weapons-grade of 90%. And should Iran also continue its refusal to discuss the ballistic missile issue or its continued support for its terror group proxies, will Trump finally realize that the Iranians have been stringing him along in order to add to their store of missiles — missiles that threaten not just Israel, but American bases in the region, and Saudi oil facilities, and can even reach Europe? And if he does, not wanting to be played for a fool, will Trump, in a lucid interval, give the order many of us in the Western world are hoping for: bombs away.

AUTHOR

Hugh Fitzgerald

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EDITORS NOTE: This Jihad Watch column is republished with permission. ©All rights reserved.