Iran rebuilding missile capacity after strikes, importing key rocket fuel from China – CNN

Four months after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, Tehran is rapidly restoring its defense industry, CNN reported, citing European intelligence sources.

According to the report, China has shipped about 2,000 tonnes of sodium perchlorate — a key chemical used in solid-fuel production for ballistic missiles — to Iran between late September and October. The amount could enable the production of around 500 ballistic missiles, though it remains below Iran’s pre-war output levels.

CNN said Israeli intelligence believes Iran’s missile program is being rebuilt faster than expected and that renewed international sanctions have proved ineffective. The “snapback” sanctions mechanism does not cover sodium perchlorate imports, allowing China to continue exports legally.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has detected construction activity at nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz but cannot confirm renewed uranium enrichment, Director General Rafael Grossi said.

Israeli analysts warn that Iran’s rebuilding efforts and China’s flexible approach to sanctions could soon shift the regional balance of power, ending the fragile calm that followed the 12-day war earlier this year.