Iran Steps Up Nuclear and Missile Preparations Against Israel and US, Reports Warn of Escalation

TEHRAN: Amid widespread domestic unrest and mounting international tensions, Iran is reportedly accelerating its nuclear and missile programs, raising alarm over the possibility of a major regional conflict involving Israel and the United States. Analysts warn that Tehran’s preparations could trigger a catastrophic war with global consequences.

Despite months of intense protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Islamic regime—protests that have been crushed with force—Iran has retained its grip on power. Human rights groups estimate that more than 12,000 people may have been killed during the crackdown. Experts caution that the regime, shaken by internal dissent, may now be preparing for what they describe as a “last‑stand confrontation” with its external adversaries.

According to a report by British media outlet The Sun, Iran has continued expanding its ballistic missile capabilities and advancing its nuclear weapons program, even after U.S. airstrikes last June targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. The report claims that much of Iran’s nuclear material survived the attacks, including nearly half a tonne of enriched uranium.

Missile Production Running Round‑the‑Clock

Security analysts say Iran’s ballistic missile production lines are operating 24 hours a day, despite nationwide instability. The report further claims that Tehran is planning a massive future assault on Israel involving up to 2,000 missiles, far exceeding the scale of last year’s 12‑day conflict.

During that confrontation, Iran reportedly launched around 550 ballistic missiles and more than 1,000 armed drones toward Israel. While Israel’s air defense systems intercepted the majority, over 10 percent of the rockets reportedly penetrated the defenses, forcing millions of Israelis into shelters. A single barrage of 200 missiles killed three people and injured at least 60.

Alleged Chinese Assistance

Analysts quoted in the report allege that Iran is upgrading its missile systems with advanced Chinese technology, enabling the simultaneous launch of significantly larger numbers of ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Such an upgrade, experts warn, would pose a serious challenge to Israel’s multi‑layered air defense shield.

Dr. Raz Zimmt of Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, who has studied Iranian threats for over three decades, warned that any future conflict would not remain limited. “If another round of war begins, Israel will not restrict itself to military bases or nuclear facilities alone,” he said. “Oil infrastructure and even the core of the Islamic regime could be targeted.”

Nuclear Concerns Persist

Experts also caution that Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain intact. Estimates suggest Tehran possesses at least 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. If further enriched to weapons‑grade levels, this material could be sufficient to produce up to 10 nuclear warheads.

Dr. Zimmt warned that Iran would not remain passive in the event of renewed Israeli strikes. Any retaliation, he said, could expand the conflict to U.S. military bases in the region and Gulf countries, significantly widening the war’s scope.

With Iran repeatedly refusing to re‑enter nuclear negotiations, fears of a broader confrontation—and even a global conflict—are once again intensifying among international observers.