Iran Conducts Secret Missile Test at Spaceport Following Israel Conflict: Satellite Evidence Reveals

Iran has likely conducted an undeclared missile test at its Imam Khomeini Spaceport, according to satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press. This development highlights Tehran's commitment to maintaining its weapons program despite the recent 12-day conflict with Israel in June.

While Iranian authorities have not officially acknowledged last week's test at a circular pad previously used for major launches by the country's civilian space program, one Iranian parliamentarian made unsubstantiated claims that Tehran tested a possible intercontinental ballistic missile.

This test raises concerns about Iran potentially expanding its missile capabilities amid heightened tensions, particularly as United Nations sanctions related to Tehran's nuclear program are expected to be reimposed this weekend. Iran is simultaneously working to repair missile sites damaged during Israeli strikes.

"Israel's successes in the 12-day war against Iran's missile attacks reinforced for Tehran the importance of developing more ballistic missiles and qualitatively better versions of them," explained Behnam Ben Taleblu from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank that has been critical of Iran and is under sanctions from Tehran.

"Consider this part of Tehran's efforts to build back better, and as quickly as possible," he added.

On September 18, social media users in Iran shared images showing what appeared to be a rocket's contrail over Semnan province at sunset. Neither Iranian officials nor state media addressed the source of this contrail.

Satellite photographs taken by Planet Labs PBC before the incident show the circular pad at Imam Khomeini Spaceport—located approximately 230 kilometers southeast of Tehran—decorated with the colors of the Iranian flag: blue ringed with red, white, and green lines.

However, satellite images captured since September 18 revealed discoloration of the pad. A more detailed image requested by the AP and taken on Wednesday clearly shows significant scorch marks with patterns resembling those left by previous launches. These marks typically occur when rocket engines discharge flames onto launch pads.

Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that the scale of the scorching suggested the launch of a solid-fuel missile, as burning aluminum oxide particles typically cause such markings. The north-south pattern indicates the possible use of a blast deflector to channel the flames.

Iranian parliamentarian Mohsen Zanganeh, appearing on state television Saturday, claimed that Iran had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday, framing it as a demonstration of Iran's strength against Israel and Western pressure.

"We have neither abandoned (nuclear) enrichment, nor handed uranium over to the enemy, nor backed down from our missile positions," stated Zanganeh, who serves on parliament's budget committee from Iran's Khorasan Razavi province.

"The night before last we tested one of the country's most advanced missiles, which until now had not, so to speak, been trialed—and that test was successful," he continued.

"In other words, I mean to say that even under these conditions we are conducting a security test of an intercontinental-range missile," Zanganeh added, without providing evidence or explaining his information source. Iranian lawmakers have previously made exaggerated claims.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles typically have ranges exceeding 5,500 kilometers (3,415 miles), which would far surpass the 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) limit reportedly established by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The current 2,000-kilometer range already encompasses much of the Middle East, including Israel and American military bases in the region. An intercontinental missile would bring all of Europe within range.

The U.S. military's Central Command, overseeing Middle East operations, did not respond to requests for comment.

Despite the parliamentarian's assertions, many questions remain about the launch, particularly regarding what exactly Iran propelled into the sky.

Iran has previously used this launch pad for solid-fueled Zuljanah missiles, named after Imam Hussein's horse—a significant figure in Shiite Islam who was killed alongside his fighters at Karbala in the 7th century.

While the Zuljanah can launch satellites into space, U.S. officials have expressed concern that its solid-fuel technology and space capabilities could potentially be adapted to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

"If, as is increasingly being alleged, the test was of a space-launch vehicle, it represents a desire by Tehran to potentially threaten targets outside the Middle East, like the European continent and even the American homeland," Taleblu noted.

Such missiles can deliver nuclear weapons, though Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. U.S. intelligence agencies also assess that Iran is not actively pursuing atomic weapons, despite enriching uranium to nearly 60% purity—close to the 90% weapons-grade level. Additionally, Iran would need to miniaturize any potential nuclear device to mount it on a ballistic missile.

Given Iran's silence about the launch and the erratic contrail observed, the test may have been unsuccessful. U.S. space authorities have not reported any new Iranian satellites entering orbit on September 18.

The launch may also represent Iran signaling to Western powers its determination to continue developing missile capabilities despite international pressure and sanctions, though without official confirmation, Tehran's intentions remain unclear.

"The problem is that so much happens with Iran," Hinz remarked. "It's hard to say what is coincidental and what is a pattern."