Satellite photos published on Thursday purportedly reveal the existence of a new Iranian surface-to-surface missile factory in Syria, resembling Iran’s Parchin facility. The discovery has raised fresh concerns that Iran is deepening its military presence in Syria, and that once completed the facility will be used to manufacture and store missiles which could range to Israel.
The photos, which were taken by ImageSat International and published by Israeli Channel 10 news, were reported to show a facility outside Wadi Jahannam in northwest Syria. The facility is also close to a Russian S-400 anti-aircraft battery, considered to be one of the most advanced air defence systems in the world.
According to monitoring by ImageSat International, Iran’s Defence and Armed Forces Minister Brig.-Gen. Amir Hatami accompanied Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials on a visit to Syria earlier this week, where the two countries signed a defence agreement that allows for the “presence and participation” of Iran in Syria.
Israel has reportedly targeted numerous Iran-linked military sites in Syria since the civil war erupted in 2011. In July, Israeli jets reportedly bombed a Syrian-based Iranian missile production facility in Masyaf.
