By The South Asia Times 

WASHINGTON — Iran has restored access to much of its underground missile network damaged during the recent conflict with the United States and Israel, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of a strategy focused on targeting tunnel entrances rather than destroying the missile arsenal itself, according to a CNN analysis of satellite imagery.

The report found that Iranian engineers have rapidly reopened dozens of tunnel entrances at underground missile facilities using basic construction equipment such as bulldozers and dump trucks. Analysts say the effort demonstrates Tehran's ability to recover from costly air campaigns and maintain its missile deterrent.

Satellite images reviewed by CNN showed that Iran has reopened 50 of the 69 tunnel entrances struck by US and Israeli forces across 18 underground missile sites. At a missile base in Dezful, four of the five entrances that had been blocked during the conflict were visible as reopened by mid-May.

During the fighting, US and Israeli strikes targeted tunnel entrances and access roads in an effort to restrict Iran's ability to move missile launchers and fire long-range weapons. The attacks buried entrances under debris and cratered roads leading to the facilities.

However, satellite imagery indicates that Iran has repaired most of the damaged roads, filling craters and repaving some routes. Experts say the recovery effort suggests that simply blocking access points may not be sufficient to neutralize Iran's missile capabilities.

"Iran can continue launching missiles so long as they have launchers and crews, even if production has halted," Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, told CNN. He noted that Iran still possesses a significant stockpile of missiles that can be deployed from the underground facilities.

The underground network, developed over more than two decades, is considered a cornerstone of Iran's missile strategy. Many of the sites are built deep beneath mountains, providing substantial protection against air strikes and limiting military options for destroying the facilities outright.

President Donald Trump had repeatedly cited Iran's missile arsenal as a key justification for military action, with degrading Tehran's missile capabilities listed among the central objectives of the campaign.

While US and Israeli forces succeeded in reducing the pace of Iranian missile launches during the conflict, analysts argue that the long-term impact remains uncertain. The air campaign also targeted missile factories, rocket propellant production facilities and other elements of Iran's defense industry.

Following the ceasefire agreement reached on April 8, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran would be left digging out its remaining launchers and missiles without the ability to replace them.

Nevertheless, experts cited by CNN estimate that Iran may still have around 1,000 missiles stored in its underground facilities, potentially allowing it to sustain missile operations if hostilities resume.

The findings come as Iran and the United States continue discussions on implementing a tentative agreement related to the Strait of Hormuz, although significant diplomatic and security issues remain unresolved.