WANA (Jun 17) – Iran’s space program and satellite initiatives remain uninterrupted despite infrastructure and laboratory damage sustained during a recent military strike on the Iran Space Research Center (ISRC) in Tehran.

 

Officials emphasized that the development, design, and launch schedules—including those for the “Nahid” telecommunications satellites—are proceeding without delay following rapid infrastructure reconfiguration and continuous work by specialized teams.

 

The ISRC facility in Tehran was struck during a wave of military attacks across the country on the evening of March 13, 2026, causing damage to some buildings and internal infrastructure. Following the incident, relevant officials announced that operations never ceased, with various departments maintaining workflows despite the damage.

 

Crisis management and passive defense teams were deployed immediately to secure the conditions, relocate equipment, and reconfigure essential infrastructure.

 

Speaking to reporters today, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, during a media tour of the damaged sections, Nader Mokari, the Acting Head of the Iran Space Research Center, confirmed the March strike but reiterated the resilience of the facility’s scientific and research pursuits.

 

“The Iran Space Research Center was hit on March 13 of last year, but its scientific and research activities continue unabated,” Mokari said.

 

Strategic Sectors and Domestic Services

Mokari explained that the ISRC focuses primarily on three areas: remote sensing, space telecommunications, and innovation. He noted that all stages of satellite development are managed within the center, with products and services distributed to various national industries and government bodies.

 

“Many executive bodies and government organizations rely on space-based services,” Mokari noted. “Sectors such as the Ministry of Agriculture, crisis management, urban planning, environment, and dozens of other agencies utilize data and services derived from satellites developed at the space research center.”

 

He further highlighted the vital role of space telecommunications in national infrastructure, citing widespread applications in search and rescue, Red Crescent operations, maritime communications with vessels at sea, and providing connectivity to remote villages and rugged terrains lacking fiber-optic or radio link access. “Space-based telecommunication is a strategic technology for the country, capable of providing stable and extensive communication services under diverse conditions,” he stated.

 

Future Satellite Projects: Nahid-2 and Nahid-3

Highlighting recent achievements in Iran’s aerospace sector, Mokari pointed out that the “Nahid-2” telecommunications satellite was launched last year, and plans for the development and launch of “Nahid-3” are currently underway.

 

“The Nahid-3 satellite is currently in the design phase and is projected to be placed into Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), which marks a major milestone in developing the country’s space communication infrastructure,” Mokari said.

 

Regarding future remote sensing endeavors, the ISRC head outlined expansive plans, including the development of remote sensing satellites featuring a 1-meter spatial resolution, alongside remote sensing, telecommunications, and innovation constellations currently on the center’s development agenda.

 

Infrastructure Reconstruction and a $435.9 Million Damage Estimate

Following the attack, the center swiftly reorganized its operations. Laboratories are currently being re-established to ensure the development of indigenous satellites and the delivery of space-based services continue smoothly.

 

“We have defined multiple phases to revive laboratory infrastructure, moving in parallel with our satellite development timeline,” Mokari said. “In this regard, we aim to leverage the capacities of universities, the private sector, and other domestic scientific bodies.

 

Our goal is to ensure the space industry is not exclusively concentrated in the public sector but expands into universities and private companies.”

 

Mokari confirmed that operational satellites remain in orbit, routinely transmitting images to clients such as municipalities, the Department of Environment, and the Geological Survey of Iran. He added that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will soon be signed with the Geological Survey and Mineral Explorations of Iran to expand space-based applications in geology and mining. Space technologies also play a critical role in monitoring and predicting national challenges such as land subsidence, landslides, dust storms, floods, droughts, water resource management, and mining volume assessments.

 

When asked about the strike’s impact on satellite functionality and domestic communication services, Mokari assured that operations have been continuous without any service disruptions. “The Nahid satellite and other active national satellites are delivering services and establishing communications normally,” he stated.

 

Rapid Recovery and Long-term Vision

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, ISRC staff briefly transitioned to remote work before resuming in-person operations at the start of the Persian New Year in late March. “The process of designing, developing, and executing space projects proceeds exactly as before,” Mokari noted.

 

Describing the post-strike recovery, he labeled the facility a “national asset” and commended the immediate response of the crisis management and passive defense units.

 

“Efforts were made to clear debris in the shortest time possible, and transportable equipment and machinery were moved out of the site. A number of damaged instruments were repaired, restored, and relocated to alternative sites to ensure research and lab work continued without disruption.”

 

While some equipment was completely destroyed, replacement and restoration plans are actively underway to gradually ready the laboratories for necessary satellite testing and validation phases.

 

Addressing the financial toll of the incident, the ISRC head stated that while relevant authorities are still conducting precise assessments, the Minister of Information and Communications Technology has estimated the total damages around $435.9 million USD.

 

Mokari concluded by addressing the broader context of the conflict, noting that during the “40-day war,” the enemy placed a significant focus on technological sectors due to the strategic weight of space capabilities.

 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved remarkable progress in the space sector in recent years, and it is natural that this growth trajectory is undesirable to the country’s adversaries,” Mokari said. “Despite the damages incurred, research, design, development, and space service delivery continue without intermission, and the nation’s space industry will persist on its path of progress.”