Tehran Activates Vast Ballistic Missile Arsenal Following Joint US-Israeli Strikes and Trump’s Regime Change Declaration

Explore Iran’s vast ballistic missile capabilities as regional conflict erupts. Learn about "missile cities," hypersonic tech, and the reach of Tehran's rockets.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 28, 2026, 9:19 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Independent

The Arsenal Behind the Deterrence Strategy

The Middle East has entered a period of unprecedented volatility following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian soil, an offensive President Donald Trump claims will dismantle the security threat posed by the Islamic Republic. Iran has responded by leveraging what the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence describes as the largest stockpile of ballistic missiles in the region. These weapons, which Tehran maintains for retaliatory and deterrent purposes, are central to the regime's military doctrine. While Iran has officially capped its missile range at 2,000 km, recent military exercises and reports from semi-official outlets suggest that several models possess the capability to fly much further, effectively placing the entire State of Israel within reach.

Deep Cover and Underground Missile Cities

A significant portion of Iran's strike capability is housed in heavily fortified "missile cities," which are underground storage and launch facilities located in provinces such as Kermanshah and Semnan. These subterranean depots are designed to withstand aerial bombardment and allow for the rapid transport and firing of long-range rockets. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the arsenal includes the Sejil, which can travel at speeds exceeding 17,000 km per hour, and the Khorramshahr, which carries a substantial payload over 2,000 km. The existence of these sites, particularly those near the Gulf region, ensures that Iran can maintain a second-strike capability even after significant initial losses to its surface infrastructure.

A History of High Stakes Engagements

The current escalation follows a pattern of missile usage that has intensified over the past two years. During a 12-day conflict in June 2025, Tehran demonstrated its willingness to target Israeli urban centers, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructure damage. While Israeli defenses and subsequent counterattacks reportedly destroyed approximately one-third of Iranian launchers at that time, Iranian officials insist that the production centers have since recovered. Furthermore, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have previously utilized these systems to strike alleged spy headquarters in Iraq and militant groups in Syria and Pakistan, proving the operational flexibility and accuracy of their domestic designs....