The Washington Post reported on March 29 that the combined force has struck four key Iranian ballistic missile production facilities and 29 missile launch bases since the start of the war.[1] ISW-CTP has similarly recorded strikes on over 20 missile bases during the war.[2] The Washington Post assessed that combined force airstrikes have caused “severe damage” to the Khojir, Shahroud, Parchin, and Hakimiyeh missile production facilities.[3] Four experts told the Washington Post that the damage to these facilities has “most likely halted Iran's ability to produce short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles until [the] facilities can be rebuilt.”[4]
The combined force has inflicted the following specific damage to the Khojir, Shahroud, Parchin, and Hakimiyeh sites:
Khojir Military Complex (Tehran Province): TheWashington Post, citing satellite imagery from March 24, reported that the combined force has destroyed at least 88 structures at the Khojir Military Complex.[5] ISW-CTP observed reports of strikes on the Khojir Military Complex on March 3.[6] The Khojir complex is a research, development, and manufacturing facility for solid- and liquid-fuel missiles. An analyst at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies assessed on March 6 that the combined force had struck mixing and casting buildings at the Khojir complex.[7] The IDF also confirmed on March 29 that it struck a facility at Khojir that produced unspecified “critical components” for the “assembly and operationalization” of missiles.[8] The IDF noted that the facility was only one of two facilities in Iran that produced such components.[9]
Shahroud Military Complex (Semnan Province): The Washington Post, citing satellite imagery, reported that the combined force has damaged or destroyed at least 28 structures at the Shahroud Military Complex.[10] The combined force has struck the Shahroud Military Complex multiple times during the war.[11] An analyst at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies identified on March 7 that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had damaged a mixing building, casting building, and “warhead production line” at the facility.[12] The IDF struck buildings at the Shahroud Military Facility during the June 2025 Israel-Iran War that had previously housed planetary mixers.[13] Planetary mixers are essential for producing ballistic missile solid fuel. The IDF previously destroyed 12 Iranian planetary mixers, likely including mixers at Shahroud, during its October 2024 strikes on Iran.[14] Satellite imagery published by the Associated Press in September 2025 showed that Iran had started repairing damaged mixer buildings at Shahroud.[15] An Israeli analyst separately published satellite imagery on March 19 that shows that the combined force struck a launch pad at the Shahroud Military Complex between March 11 and 19.[16]
Parchin Military Complex (Tehran Province): The Washington Post, citing satellite imagery from March 12, reported that the combined force has struck 12 structures at the Parchin Military Complex.[17] ISW-CTP has observed numerous reports of strikes on the Parchin Military Complex, including on March 3, March 7, March 12, March 26, and March 28.[18] The Institute for Science and International Security assessed on March 6 that combined force airstrikes caused “significant damage” to solid rocket propellant motor production facilities at Parchin.[19] The combined force also struck the Taleghan 2 site at Parchin on March 12.[20] The Iranian regime previously used the Taleghan 2 facility to test explosives that are needed to detonate a nuclear device before the regime suspended its nuclear weapons program in 2003.[21]
Hakimiyeh Military Complex (Tehran Province): The Washington Post, citing satellite imagery from March 14, reported that the combined force has struck 19 structures at the Hakimiyeh Military Complex.[22] The Washington Post noted that the Hakimiyeh Military Complex contains facilities that produce liquid propellant and missile launchers.[23] The IDF issued an evacuation warning for the Hakimiyeh Industrial Zone in northwestern Tehran on March 3.[24]
The Washington Post also reported that the combined force has struck at least 29 missile launch bases thus far.[25] The Washington Post highlighted damage to the following two bases:
Khorgu Missile Base (Hormozgan Province): The Washington Post, citing satellite imagery from March 9, reported that the combined force has destroyed 15 facilities and struck two tunnel entrances at the Khorgu Missile Base.[26] The Washington Post assessed that the combined force has struck this base at least twice during the war. Two OSINT accounts previously published satellite imagery from March 18 that showed damage to multiple munition bunkers and multiple support buildings at the Khorgu Missile Base.[27]
Imam Ali Missile Base (Lorestan Province): An imagery analyst at the security intelligence firm Janes told the Washington Post that the combined force has struck nine aboveground structures and at least two tunnel entrances at the Imam Ali Missile Base.[28] The combined force has struck the Imam Ali Missile Base several times during the war, including with bunker buster munitions.[29] The Imam Ali Missile Base is home to the IRGC Aerospace Force al Hadid 7th Missile Brigade and al Tawhid 23rd Missile Brigade.[30] The base reportedly stores Shahab-3 ballistic missiles, which have a range of between 800 and 1,300 kilometers.[31] OSINT accounts circulated footage on March 27 of a funeral for an IRGC Aerospace Force commander who reportedly died in combined force airstrikes targeting the Imam Ali Missile Base.[32]
Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) officials continue to dismiss Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s concerns about Iran's economic conditions amid Iran's war with the United States and Israel. Anti-regime media reported on March 28 that there is a deepening rift between Pezeshkian and IRGC Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi over the regime's actions during the war and the war's mounting economic and social costs, citing unspecified informed sources.[33] Pezeshkian reportedly warned that the IRGC’s attacks on regional countries are exacerbating economic damage, cautioning that Iran's economy could collapse within three to four weeks if Iran does not reach a ceasefire with the United States and Israel.[34] This report is consistent with a March 16 report that Pezeshkian voiced concerns over the war's impact on the Iranian economy but that an IRGC official dismissed Pezeshkian’s concerns.[35] Pezeshkian has also reportedly demanded “the restoration of executive and managerial authorities” to the government, but Vahidi has rejected this demand, according to the March 28 anti-regime media report.[36] The regime's poor management of the economy, which includes rampant corruption and IRGC control over broad swaths of the economy, has long hurt the Iranian economy and recently triggered the December 2025-January 2026 anti-regime protests.[37] The current conflict will likely further deteriorate Iran's economic conditions.[38] The combined force conducted airstrikes on several Iranian steel factories on March 27 and 28, which an Israeli military correspondent assessed are “expected to cause major damage” to the Iranian economy.[39] The conflict and regime-imposed internet shutdown have also had negative consequences for the private sector.[40] A restaurant owner in Tehran told a BBC Persian reporter on March 28 that “many businesses are completely shut down now.”[41] The restaurant owner added that they think they can only keep their business open “for one month maximum.”[42] The regime continues to promote the concept of a “resistance economy” without implementing tangible reforms in an attempt to reassure the Iranian population.[43] The regime's emphasis on the “resistance economy” is disconnected from the reality that the Iranian population faces, however.
The Iranian regime appears to be appealing to nationalist sentiments to recruit members of the Iranian population to help the regime maintain internal security.[44] The Wall Street Journal reported on March 29 that Iran has launched a recruitment campaign called “Janfada,” or “Sacrificing Life,” to recruit volunteers to fight US forces in the event of a US ground operation in Iran, citing a text message sent to Iranian mobile users.[45] The name of this campaign suggests that the regime seeks to appeal to nationalist sentiments by calling on Iranians to sacrifice their lives for Iran. The name of the campaign notably echoes a popular Iranian protest slogan, although it is unclear whether the regime intentionally mirrored the language of this slogan.[46] The Wall Street Journal report separately noted that security forces set up checkpoints in Esfahan City and surrounding towns on March 28.[47]
Russia continues to help Iran conduct attacks across the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is providing Iran with satellite imagery of US military assets in the region.[48] Zelensky told NBC News that Russian satellites captured images of Prince Sultan Airbase near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 20, 23, and 25.[49] Iran struck the base on March 27, injuring several US service members and damaging aircraft.[50] Zelensky’s statement follows reports that Russia has supplied Iran with satellite imagery and Shahed drones since the war began.[51] Zelensky also said that Russia took satellite imagery of the US-UK base in Diego Garcia on March 24 as well as the Incirlik Airbase in Turkey, Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar, and the Shaybah oil and gas field in Saudi Arabia on March 26.[52] Russian efforts to take images of these sites indicate that Russia is helping Iran attack not only US assets but also Turkish and British assets. Iran has attacked all of these sites since the war began.[53]Iran continues to coerce vessels to comply with its new rules for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistani Foreign Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar stated on March 28 that Iran agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistani ships to pass through the strait.[54] He stated that two ships will transit the strait each day. Iran has allowed some Pakistani oil tankers and other vessels to pass safely through an Iranian-approved route around Larak Island.[55] Iran has required some vessels to pay a transit fee.[56] An OSINT analyst assessed on March 28 that IRGC Navy fast attack craft are patrolling the area between Larak Island and Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf and are likely serving as “toll collectors.”[57]
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-special-report-march-29-2026/
30MAR2026 H I Sutton Short Guide To Iran’s Naval Mines In The Strait Of Hormuz
Learn the types of naval mines which Iran has, and why some are harder to sweep than others. Unscripted and unedited, just a real person sharing knowledge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMXSDUj-dms
The Turkish Defense Ministry announced on March 30 that NATO air defense systems intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over the eastern Mediterranean Sea that had entered Turkish airspace.[1] This marks the fourth confirmed instance of an Iranian projectile entering Turkish airspace since the war began.[2] Iran has not commented on the attack at the time of this writing, but Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei denied on March 20 that Iran had conducted previous attacks on Turkey, calling them an Israeli ”false flag tactic.“[3] Iranian Defense Minister Majid Ibn al Reza held a phone call with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler on March 30 to discuss the ongoing regional conflict, according to Iranian regime media.[4] The officials likely discussed Iran's violation of Turkish airspace. This incident comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News on March 28 that Russia is providing Iran with satellite imagery of US and allied military assets in the Middle East, including Incirlik Airbase in Turkey.[5] ISW-CTP previously noted that Russia's provision of satellite imagery to Iran is helping Iran conduct attacks not only on US assets but also against US partners, such as Turkey.
Anti-regime media and a Kurdistan Democratic Party-affiliated journalist reported that Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters have deployed to western Iran.[6] An Iraqi official speaking to anti-regime media claimed on March 30 that PMF fighters have deployed to Basij bases in Khorramshahr and Abadan in Khuzestan Province.[7] The Basij is a paramilitary force that is responsible for civil defense and social control.[8] The reported PMF deployment is notable given recent Iranian regime efforts to recruit new security force members.[9] The regime may be mobilizing PMF fighters, in part, to strengthen control over previous protest hotspots. Large protests took place in both Khorramshahr and Abadan during the December 2025-January 2026 protests.[10] Anti-regime media reported on March 29 that the combined force struck a border crossing checkpoint in Shalamcheh, Khuzestan Province.[11] Anti-regime media previously reported that PMF fighters had entered Iran via the Shalamcheh crossing.[12]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman, Jordan, on March 29 to discuss a potential security partnership.[13] This meeting comes after Ukraine signed defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar on March 28.[14] Zelensky expressed Ukraine's willingness to help Jordan defend against missile and drone attacks.[15] Zelensky and King Abdullah II also discussed security issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Ukraine has experience unblocking maritime trade routes with unmanned surface vessels and is prepared to assist partners.[16] CNN reported on March 30 that Zelensky suggested that Ukrainian sea drones could be deployed in the Strait of Hormuz.[17]
US President Donald Trump told the Financial Times on March 30 that the combined force has struck 13,000 targets since the start of the war on February 28.[18] Trump added that the combined force still has around 3,000 targets left to strike.[19] The Israeli Air Force (IAF) stated on March 30 that it struck 170 targets over the past day.[20] The combined force has struck multiple Iranian military bases, defense industrial sites, and internal security institutions since ISW-CTP’s last data cutoff.
An OSINT account reported that the US-Israeli combined force struck the Artesh Air Force 2nd Tactical Airbase in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, on March 29.[21] The account reported seven explosions at the base.[22] The combined force previously struck the 2nd Tactical Airbase around March 3.[23] The IDF also struck the 2nd Tactical Airbase during the 12-Day War in June 2025.[24] An OSINT account noted at the time that the 2nd Tactical Airbase is home to MiG-29 and F-5 aircraft belonging to the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd tactical fighter squadrons.[25]
An OSINT account reported that the combined force struck two missile bases near Shiraz, Fars Province, on March 30, including a base that Iran has used to launch missiles at Israel in previous rounds of conflict.[26] One of the bases that the combined force struck on March 30 is the Shiraz South Missile Base.[27] The combined force has previously struck this base during the war. Commercially available satellite imagery captured on March 7 showed that the combined force had used ground-penetrating munitions to target underground facilities at the Shiraz South Missile Base.[28] The Shiraz South Missile Base is one of Iran's 25 primary bases for launching medium-range ballistic missiles.[29]
The combined force continued to suppress Iranian air defenses. The IDF stated on March 30 that it has destroyed more than 80 percent of Iran's air defense systems.[30] The IDF struck an Iranian air defense site in Nowshahr, Mazandaran Province.[31] The air defense site is located near the Caspian Sea. The IDF previously targeted ”dozens of vessels” at the 4th Artesh Naval District Headquarters at Bandar Anzali Port, Gilan Province, on the Caspian Sea coast on March 18.[32] Anti-regime media reported explosions in Amol, Chalus, Babol, Nur, and Babolsar in Mazandaran Province on March 30.[33]
The combined force continued to strike internal security sites in western Iran. The IDF stated on March 30 that it struck Basij bases in Dehgolan and Divandarreh, Kurdistan Province.[34] The IDF also stated that it struck Law Enforcement Command (LEC) buildings in Sanandaj and Saghez, Kurdistan Province.[35] Iranian security forces suppressed protests in Dehgolan and Sanandaj in January 2026.[36]
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on March 30 that the United States has destroyed 150 Iranian vessels, including 92 percent of Iran's “largest vessels,” since the war began.[66] Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine previously stated on March 19 that CENTCOM had destroyed 44 Iranian mine-laying vessels.[67] Iranian media reported that four vessels were struck in Bandar Lengeh, Hormozgan Province, on March 30.[68] The IRGC Navy 5th District is headquartered near Bandar Lengeh.[69]
Iran targeted a water desalination plant in Kuwait on March 29 as part of its ongoing drone and missile attack campaign against the Gulf countries.[73] The Kuwaiti Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Ministry confirmed that an Iranian strike damaged a service building at one of the ministry's power and water desalination facilities on March 29, killing one worker.[74] The Kuwaiti Armed Forces stated on March 30 that 13 drones entered Kuwaiti airspace in the past 24 hours.[75]
The Bahraini Defense Ministry announced that it intercepted seven drones and eight missiles launched from Iran on March 30.[76] The United Arab Emirates Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted 27 Iranian drones and 11 ballistic missiles.[77] Saudi Arabia's defense ministry confirmed that it intercepted seven Iranian drones and eight missiles.[78] The Qatari Defense Ministry announced that it intercepted an unspecified number of Iranian drones on March 30.[79]
The Houthis conducted a drone attack targeting Israel on March 29. The IDF said on March 29 that it intercepted two Houthi drones near Eilat, southern Israel.[113] This attack marks the third time that the Houthis have attacked Israel since entering the conflict on March 28.[114] The Houthis have not claimed the drone attack at the time of this writing.
IRGC advisers reportedly recently arrived in Houthi-controlled Saana, Yemen, to coordinate Houthi activities with Iran.[115] An unspecified journalist in Yemen told Israeli media on March 29 that “additional IRGC experts” recently arrived in Sanaa to strengthen coordination between the Houthis and Iran.[116]
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-special-report-march-30-2026/