지하 공군기지를 계속 건설하고 있는 이란

[위종민]

이란이 남부 지역에 산비탈을 파내서 '이글 44'라는 공군기지를 건설중이고, 올해 최소 세 차례의 공습을 가했는데도 꾸준히 지하 공군기지를 건설중이라고 하네요. 이 곳 외에도 다른 지하 공군기지들도 재건중이라고... 

# 전쟁에도 불구하고 이란의 ‘이글 44’ 지하 공군기지 건설은 중단되지 않았다

위성사진에 따르면 지하 격납고와 유도로 터널을 갖춘 이란 공군기지가 공격을 받은 이후에도 새로운 건설공사가 진행되고 있으며, 파괴된 장비의 잔해도 제거되고 있다.

이언 엘리스존스

2026년 10월 22일 오전 10시 11분(미국 동부시간)

전투기, 드론, 미사일을 보호하기 위해 산비탈에 건설된 이란의 이글 44 공군기지에서 공사가 계속되고 있음을 보여주는 플래닛 랩스의 고해상도 위성사진. 이언 엘리스존스와 TWZ가 플래닛 랩스의 위성사진을 이용해 제작했으며, 허가를 받아 재수록했다.

이란 이글 44 공군기지의 주석이 추가된 도면. 사진 © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. 모든 권리 보유. 허가를 받아 재수록.

이란은 올해 최소 세 차례의 공습을 받았음에도, 전투기와 드론, 잠재적으로는 순항미사일과 탄도미사일을 보호할 수 있도록 산비탈을 파서 건설한 방호형 지하 공군기지인 이글 44를 재건하고 있다. TWZ가 검토한 9월 말 플래닛 랩스의 고해상도 위성사진에는 새로운 유도로 구간이 완공되고, 여러 지원시설이 여전히 파괴되거나 손상된 상태이며, 포장면에서 파괴된 장비의 잔해가 제거되고, 활주로를 막기 위해 설치했던 장애물도 철거된 모습이 나타난다. 이러한 건설공사는 미 국방부와 트럼프 행정부가 이란 공군에 해당 시설을 이용해 보호할 만한 전력이 거의 남아 있지 않다고 주장하는 가운데 진행되고 있다.

미국의 공습 이후 이란 이글 44 산악 공군기지와 진행 중인 재건공사를 종합적으로 보여주는 도면. 허가를 받아 재수록한 플래닛 랩스 위성사진을 이용해 이언 엘리스존스와 TWZ가 제작했다.

이글 44의 주요 관심 구역을 표시한 도면. 사진 © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. 모든 권리 보유. 허가를 받아 재수록. (TWZ/이언 엘리스존스)

이글 44는 1979년 혁명 44주년에서 이름을 따온 ‘오가브 44(Oghab 44)’로도 불리며, 2023년 2월 이란 고위 관계자들이 당시 이란의 최신 지하 공군기지로 소개된 시설을 방문하면서 관영매체를 통해 공개됐다. 당시 공개된 영상에는 AGM-65 매버릭 공대지미사일, 레이저 및 전자광학 유도폭탄, 비유도 재래식 폭탄, 이란 자체 생산 대함미사일로 무장한 이란 공군(IRIAF)의 F-4D/E 팬텀 II 전투기들이 해당 시설을 이용하는 모습이 담겨 있었다. 당시 이란 공군은 F-4를 약 60대 운용하고 있었으며, 이는 다른 전투기 기종보다 상당히 많은 수량이었다. 그러나 현재 몇 대가 남아 있고 그중 실제로 작전 가능한 항공기가 몇 대인지는 알려지지 않았다. 팬텀 전투기 외에도 배경에는 일회용 공격 드론들이 포착됐다.

이글 44의 F-4 팬텀. (사진: 이란 관영매체)

이글 44에 있는 F-4 팬텀의 또 다른 모습. (사진: 이란 관영매체)

이 기지는 이란 이슬람혁명수비대(IRGC) 항공우주군이 아니라 이란 정규 공군(IRIAF)이 운용하고 있다. 호르모즈간주에 위치한 기지는 호르무즈해협에서 북서쪽으로 약 100마일 떨어진 자그로스산맥 기슭에 자리하고 있다. 이란 관영매체는 이 시설을 “장거리 순항미사일을 장착한 전투기들을 갖추고 지하 깊숙한 곳에 건설된 군의 가장 중요한 공군기지 중 하나”라고 설명했다. 공개 행사에 참석했던 당시 이란군 참모총장 모하마드 바게리 소장은 “이스라엘을 포함한 적들이 이란을 공격한다면 이글 44를 비롯한 우리의 수많은 공군기지에서 대응이 이뤄질 것”이라고 경고했다. 그는 이스라엘이 ‘떠오르는 사자 작전(Operation Rising Lion)’이라고 명명한 2025년 6월 12일 전쟁의 개전 초기 공습에서 제거됐다.

이란 남부의 이글 44 공군기지 위치. (사진: Google Earth)

거대한 지하 터널 복합시설의 공사는 2013년에 시작됐다. 산맥 아래 계곡 바닥의 기지 북쪽에 위치한 길이 2.7마일의 주활주로 건설은 약 8년 뒤 시작됐다. 두 개의 유도로는 더 작은 산등성이를 관통하며 활주로와 전투기 및 무기가 보관되는 주 터널 복합시설의 출입구 네 곳을 연결한다. 다만 현재 운용 가능한 유도로는 하나뿐이다.

2026년 2월부터 10월까지 이글 44의 변화를 보여주는 타임랩스 영상. 영상 © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. 모든 권리 보유. 허가를 받아 재수록.

2023년 공개된 홍보영상에는 최소 하나의 내부 방폭문과 함께 주 터널에서 분기해 전투기와 드론을 주기할 수 있는 방호 주기구역으로 이어지는 통로들이 나타났다. 기지 서쪽에는 미완성 유도로 옆에 여러 건물로 구성된 지원시설 구역이 있다. 각 건물의 용도는 불분명하지만, 정상적으로 운영되는 공군기지에는 정비 및 수리시설, 승무원 숙소, 연료와 탄약 비축시설, 경비 및 전력보호 자산, 항공교통관제와 지휘통제 기능을 조율하기 위한 기반시설이 필요하다.

이글 44 터널 복합시설의 내부를 보여주는 것으로 알려진 2023년 2월 이란 관영매체 공개 영상.

미국은 2월 28일 이스라엘과 함께 ‘에픽 퓨리 작전(Operation Epic Fury)’을 개시하고 서쪽과 남쪽에서 이란을 향한 대규모 공습을 시작했다. 이글 44는 아라비아해 북부에서 작전하는 미 해군 항공모함 탑재 항공단의 무장과 호위하는 유도미사일 구축함에서 발사하는 미사일은 물론, 역내 미 공군의 전술·전략 항공기와 육군 전력의 타격범위 안에 있다. 그러나 TWZ가 3월 16일까지 검토한 저해상도 영상에서는 기지가 공격대상이 됐지만 눈에 띄는 피해는 거의 확인되지 않았다.

에픽 퓨리 작전 중 미 중부사령부 책임구역에서 실사격 임무를 수행하는 M142 고기동포병로켓체계(HIMARS). (미 육군 사진)

에픽 퓨리 작전 중 발사하는 HIMARS. (미 중부사령부 사진)

에픽 퓨리 작전 중 야간임무를 수행하면서 미 공군 KC-135 스트래토탱커로부터 공중급유를 받는 미 공군 B-1B 랜서. (미 공군 사진)

에픽 퓨리 작전 임무를 위해 급유받는 B-1B. (미 공군 사진)

2026년 3월 3일 에픽 퓨리 작전을 지원하기 위해 니미츠급 항공모함 USS 에이브러햄 링컨(CVN 72)의 비행갑판에서 이륙하는 F/A-18 슈퍼 호넷 두 대. (미 해군 사진)

에픽 퓨리 작전을 위해 이륙하는 슈퍼 호넷. (미 해군 사진)

2026년 2월 28일 에픽 퓨리 작전을 지원하기 위해 토마호크 지상공격미사일(TLAM)을 발사하는 알레이 버크급 유도미사일 구축함 USS 스프루언스(DDG 111). (미 해군 사진)

에픽 퓨리 작전 중 토마호크 지상공격미사일(TLAM)을 발사하는 유도미사일 구축함 USS 스프루언스. (미 해군 사진)

미국과 이스라엘이 이후 몇 주 동안 끊임없는 공중작전을 이어가면서, 뉴욕타임스의 보도에 따르면 3월 말 이 기지는 더욱 큰 효과를 낸 공격을 다시 받았다. 뉴욕타임스가 검토한 고해상도 영상에서는 터널 출입구 인근 유도로에 생긴 폭발 구덩이, 완전히 파괴된 건물 한 동, 그리고 적 항공기의 착륙을 막기 위해 설치한 것으로 추정되는 활주로상의 작은 흙더미들이 확인됐다. 전투피해평가 결과는 이 공격이 지하 동굴시설과 활주로 사이의 연결을 차단해 내부에 있는 모든 것을 가두고 이륙을 막으려는 목적이었다는 점을 시사했다. 해당 보도는 미국과 이스라엘 항공기 중 어느 쪽이 공격을 수행했는지 밝히지 않았으며, 이스라엘 관계자들은 논평을 거부했다. 다만 이란의 남부 측면을 압박하는 임무는 주로 미국이 담당했으며, 이스라엘은 서부 전선을 공격했다.

불안정했던 4월 휴전이 붕괴되고 미국이 두 번째 봉쇄를 시행한 이후, 플로리다주 탬파의 맥딜 공군기지에 본부를 두고 전쟁의 일상적인 작전 수행을 책임지는 미 중부사령부(CENTCOM)는 7월 15일 이란 전역에 여러 차례 공격을 실시했다. 이글 44도 최소 세 번째 공격을 받았다. 위성사진 제공업체인 소어 아틀라스(Soar Atlas)가 발표한 분석에서는 7월 16일 공격 목표지점 네 곳이 확인됐으며, 유도로에 생긴 폭발 구덩이와 추가 기반시설의 피해가 나타났다. 이 분석에 따르면 공격받은 구조물들은 기지의 건설부대와 관련돼 있었지만, TWZ는 이 주장을 독립적으로 검증하지 못했다. 미 국방부와 중부사령부는 어떠한 언론 브리핑이나 발표에서도 이글 44를 구체적으로 지목하지 않았으며, 이란 역시 기지가 공격받았다는 사실을 인정하지 않았다.

두 번째 봉쇄가 시작되고 공격이 재개된 2026년 7월 중순 당시 배치돼 있던 미 해군 전력. (TWZ/이언 엘리스존스)

TWZ가 독점 입수한 9월 29일 플래닛 랩스 위성사진은 이란이 7월 공격 이후 재건작업을 시작했으며, 현재도 작업을 계속하고 있음을 보여준다.

이전에 무단 착륙을 억제하고 방지하기 위한 장애물로 막혀 있던 주활주로는 이제 장애물이 제거된 상태다. 서쪽 유도로(아래 사진의 빨간색 표시 구역)에서는 산등성이의 관통 터널로 이어지는 새로운 구간이 완공됐으며, 마감된 시멘트 콘크리트 상부 포장층이 보인다. 관통 터널 반대편에서는 다음 구간의 건설이 진행 중이다. 안정화하고 다진 흙으로 구성된 노상층이 마련됐지만 아직 포장되지는 않았다(주황색). 더 남쪽에 있는 서쪽 터널 출입구 앞에는 폭발로 생긴 구덩이들이 여전히 보인다(파란색). 두 번째 유도로가 완공되면 서쪽 격납고와 활주로 사이에 직접 연결통로가 생기며, 추가 항공기들이 하나의 유도로를 공유하지 않고 자유롭게 이동할 수 있게 된다. 단일 유도로는 높은 작전강도와 더욱 복잡한 출격 및 회수작전에서 중요한 병목지점이 된다. 두 번째로 운용 가능한 유도로와 터널은 다른 쪽이 공격받았을 때 필수적인 예비 경로도 제공할 것이다.

미국의 공습으로 추정되는 공격 이후 산비탈에 건설된 이란 이글 44 지하 공군기지의 주석이 추가된 도면. 허가를 받아 재수록한 플래닛 랩스 위성사진을 이용해 이언 엘리스존스와 TWZ가 제작했다.

이글 44를 확대해 주석을 추가한 사진. 사진 © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. 모든 권리 보유. 허가를 받아 재수록.

동쪽의 주유도로에는 7월 공격 이후 나타난 두 개의 어두운 흔적(초록색)이 포장면 가장자리 밖까지 이어져 있다. 이는 공격받은 장비를 제거하면서 남겨진 잔해의 흔적일 가능성이 높다. 특히 이 흔적의 폭은 잔해의 폭과 일치하며, 유도로를 다시 사용하기 위해 불도저로 밀거나 다른 방법으로 잔해를 유도로 밖으로 밀어냈음을 시사한다. 장비를 회수한 흔적은 없으며, 단지 통행에 방해되지 않도록 치웠다는 사실만 확인된다.

서쪽 유도로 옆의 주요 지원시설 구역(노란색)에서는 건물 두 동이 명백히 파괴됐고 세 번째 건물은 손상됐다. 이 건물들은 아직 재건되지 않았다. 이는 공격으로 건설능력이 약화됐다는 뉴욕타임스와 소어 아틀라스의 기존 보도와 일치하며, 이란 정권이 지원시설보다 유도로의 완공과 복구에 우선순위를 두고 있을 가능성을 시사한다.

미국의 공격으로 추정되는 타격 이후 산비탈에 건설된 이란 이글 44 공군기지의 주요 관심 구역을 근접 촬영하고 주석을 추가한 영상. 허가를 받아 재수록한 플래닛 랩스 위성사진을 이용해 이언 엘리스존스와 TWZ가 제작했다.

이글 44의 주요 관심 구역을 표시한 주석 포함 사진. 사진 © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. 모든 권리 보유. 허가를 받아 재수록.

주 터널 복합시설의 출입구 네 곳(흰색)은 기지 남쪽에서 각 유도로 끝부분에 두 개씩 짝을 이뤄 배치돼 있으며, 두 쌍 사이의 거리는 0.5마일 미만이다. 이 출입구들은 온전한 것으로 보이지만, 촬영 각도 때문에 열려 있는지 봉쇄돼 있는지는 분명하지 않다. 산속에 무엇이 들어 있는지, 이란이 현재 전투기를 몇 대 보유하고 있는지는 알려지지 않았다. 전투기 전력의 상태와 관계없이 앞서 언급했듯이 이 기지는 드론도 보관할 수 있으며, 순항미사일이나 탄도미사일로 가득 차 있을 가능성도 있다.

미국과 이스라엘은 터널 출입구를 붕괴시키기 위한 시도에 사용할 수 있는 다양한 벙커버스터 폭탄을 보유하고 있다. 터널 출입구는 모든 지하 무기 저장시설에서 중요한 병목지점이다. 출입구를 붕괴시키더라도 내부에 보관된 물자를 파괴하지는 못하지만, 일정 기간 내부의 모든 것이 밖으로 나와 사용되는 것을 막을 수 있다. 또한 산등성이를 관통하는 터널들은 공격하기 쉬운 표적이며, 이를 타격하면 고정익 항공기가 활주로에 도달하지 못하게 된다. 산 자체에 탄착점이 있거나 내부 출입구가 손상됐다는 명백한 징후는 보이지 않는다. 그러나 출입구가 봉쇄됐거나 터널 더 깊은 곳이 공격받았을 가능성도 있으며, 이러한 피해는 위성사진에서 뚜렷하게 확인되지 않을 수 있다. 주요 저장 동굴시설 자체에 도달하는 것은 훨씬 더 어려울 가능성이 높다. 미국이 보유한 대형 벙커버스터에는 GBU-57 대형관통폭탄(MOP) 유도무장이 포함되며, 이는 주요 시설의 더 깊은 곳까지 도달할 수 있을 가능성이 있다. 그러나 이 무기의 수량은 매우 제한적이며 미 공군의 B-2A 스피릿 스텔스 폭격기로만 투하할 수 있다. 미국이 전략적으로 더 중요한 다른 수많은 시설 대신 이와 같은 시설에 그러한 자원을 사용할 가능성은 극히 낮다.

이글 44는 교전이 소강상태에 들어간 동안 이란이 복구하고 있는 유일한 기지가 아니다. CNN 보도에 따르면 이란은 5월 말까지 일부 ‘미사일 도시’를 포함한 18개 지하시설에서 공격받은 터널 출입구 69곳 가운데 50곳의 잔해를 제거했다. 현재 그 수는 더 늘어났을 가능성이 높다. 월스트리트저널이 7월 검토한 플래닛 랩스, 에어버스, Vantor의 위성사진에는 캉가바르 인근에서 재건된 출입구, 데즈풀에서 새롭게 진행된 굴착작업, 케르만샤 인근의 복구작업이 나타났다. 이스라엘군 란 코하브 준장은 이 신문에 “그들은 매우 인상적인 산업화 및 재건 능력을 갖추고 있다”고 말했다. 그는 “그들은 비축량을 다시 채웠다”고 덧붙였다.

한 서방 관계자는 이달 초 블룸버그에 이란이 “여전히 상당한 양의 탄도미사일과 일부 대함미사일을 비축하고 있으며, 신속하게 더 많은 수량을 추가할 수 있다”고 밝혔다. 또한 한 미국 관계자는 5월 “이란은 정보공동체(IC)가 재건에 관해 예상했던 모든 일정을 앞질렀다”고 주장했다. 이러한 두 평가는 모두 백악관과 미 국방부가 반복적으로 주장해온 내용과 상충한다. 피트 헤그세스 장관은 4월 이란 공군이 “완전히 소멸됐다”고 주장했으며, 미사일 사업도 “사실상 파괴됐다. 발사대, 생산시설, 기존 비축량이 고갈되고 초토화됐다”고 말했다. 그러나 일주일 뒤 그는 이란 정권이 발사대와 미사일, 폭격당한 시설들을 “파내고 있다”는 점을 인정하면서도 “공격 또는 방어 능력을 보충할 능력은 없다”고 주장했다. 5월 미 중부사령관 브래드 쿠퍼 제독은 의회에서 “에픽 퓨리 작전 이전 이란 공군은 매일 30\~100회의 출격을 실시했지만, 현재 그 수는 0회”라고 말했다. 보다 최근인 월요일 캔자스주의 선거 유세에서 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령은 “그들에게는 공군이 없습니다. 그들의 아름다운 전투기 229대는 이제 이란 이슬람공화국의 아름다운 활주로 곳곳에 흩어져 있습니다”라고 말했다.

2022년 5월 이란 관영매체가 공개한 다른 지하 미사일 및 드론 복합시설의 영상.

최소한 이글 44에 대한 공격은 유도로에 폭발 구덩이를 만들고 지원 기반시설을 약화시켰다. 이로 인해 그곳에 공군 전력이 보관돼 있었다면 적어도 일부는 작전이 불가능한 상태에 놓였을 가능성이 높다. 그러나 수개월에 걸친 전쟁과 계속되는 미국의 봉쇄 및 제재로 인한 극심한 경제적 압박을 견디고, 전국적으로 발생한 피해에 대응하면서도 테헤란은 여전히 이 외딴 기지의 건설을 우선시하고 있다. 이러한 사실만으로도 미국과 이스라엘이 또 다른 작전을 개시할 경우 이 기지가 다시 공격대상 목록에 오를 수 있다. 그러나 무엇보다 이는 이유가 무엇이든 이 시설이 이란 정권에 얼마나 중요한지를 보여준다.

저자 연락처: ian\@twz.com 또는 @ianellisjones

이언 엘리스존스

독자 개발 책임자 겸 기자

이언은 TWZ의 전반적인 소셜미디어 전략을 실행하고, 전속 기자이자 공개출처정보(OSINT) 연구자로서 도해 제작 기술을 편집팀에 제공하며, 주간 항공모함 추적 자료와 뉴스레터를 관리하고 있다.

Construction Of Iran’s “Eagle 44” Underground Airbase Hasn’t Stopped Despite War

Construction Of Iran’s “Eagle 44” Underground Airbase Hasn’t Stopped Despite War

Construction Of Iran’s “Eagle 44” Underground Airbase Hasn’t Stopped Despite War

Satellite imagery depicts new construction and cleared wreckage after strikes at an Iranian airbase with underground hangars and taxiway tunnels.

Ian Ellis-Jones

Published Oct 22, 2026 10:11 AM EDT

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ANNOTATED GRAPHIC OF IRAN'S EAGLE 44 AIRBASE. PHOTO © 2026 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION.

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Iran is rebuilding Eagle 44, a hardened underground airbase carved into the side of a mountain that can shelter fighter aircraft, drones, and potentially cruise and ballistic missiles, despite the remote facility absorbing at least three rounds of airstrikes this year. High-resolution satellite imagery captured by Planet Labs in late September and reviewed by TWZ shows a new section of taxiway completed, several support buildings still destroyed or damaged, wrecked equipment cleared off the pavement, and obstacles that were placed to obstruct the runway now removed. Construction is ongoing at a time when the Pentagon and Trump administration maintain there is little remaining of the Iranian air force for such a facility to protect.

Graphic depicting key areas of interest at Eagle 44. Photo © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. TWZ/IAN ELLIS-JONES

Eagle 44, also called ‘Oghab 44’ after the 44th anniversary of the 1979 revolution, was unveiled by Iranian state media in February 2023 when senior officials visited what was described as the country’s newest underground airbase. Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) F-4D/E Phantom IIs, armed with AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, laser and electro-optically guided bombs, unguided ‘dumb’ bombs, as well as domestically produced anti-ship missiles, were shown using the facility in the footage. The IRIAF had roughly 60 examples in service at the time, its most numerous combat jet by some margin, though how many remain today, and are actually operational, is unknown. In addition to the Phantoms, one-way attack drones were also seen in the background.

F-4 Phantom at Eagle 44. Photo: Iranian state media

Another view of an F-4 Phantom at Eagle 44. Photo: Iranian state media

The IRIAF, rather than the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, operates the base, which is located in Hormozgan province and sits in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, approximately 100 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media described it as “one of the army’s most important air force bases, with fighters equipped with long-range cruise missiles and built in the depths of the Earth.” Then-Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, who was present at the unveiling, warned that “any attack on Iran from our enemies, including Israel, will see a response from our many air force bases including Eagle 44.” He was eliminated in the opening strikes of the Twelve-Day War, which Israel dubbed Operation Rising Lion, in June 2025.

Location of Eagle 44 airbase in southern Iran. Photo: Google Earth

Work on the cavernous underground tunnel complex began in 2013. Construction of a 2.7-mile main runway, situated on the northern side of the base on a valley floor below the mountain range, started roughly eight years later. Two taxiways run through a smaller ridge connecting the runway to four entrances to the primary tunnel complex, where the jets and weapons are stored, although only one taxiway is currently operational.

Timelapse of Eagle 44 from February to October 2026. Video © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

The promotional video released in 2023 revealed at least one internal blast door, as well as branches from the main tunnel to revetment areas to park fighters and drones. A support compound of several buildings is on the west side of the base, next to the unfinished taxiway. The purpose of each structure is unclear, but a functioning airbase requires maintenance and repair facilities, crew quarters, reserves of fuel and munitions, security and force protection assets, and infrastructure to coordinate air traffic control and command and control functions.

Video released by Iranian state media in February 2023 reportedly showing the inside of the tunnel complex at Eagle 44.

The United States kicked off Operation Epic Fury alongside Israel on February 28, launching a massive wave of strikes against Iran from the west and south. Eagle 44 is located within striking distance of the munitions carried by air wings embarked on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers operating in the northern Arabian Sea and missiles fired by the guided-missile destroyers that escort them, as well as Air Force tactical and strategic aircraft and Army assets in the region. However, low-resolution images reviewed by TWZ through March 16 indicated that while the base was targeted, little damage was visible.

HIMARS fired during OEF. CENTCOM photo

B-1B fuels for OEF mission. USAF photo

Super Hornets launch during OEF. Navy photo

Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance fires a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) in support of Operation Epic Fury (OEF). U.S. Navy photo

As the U.S. and Israel continued the relentless air campaign over the next several weeks, the base was targeted again at the end of March, with greater effect, according to a report from The New York Times. High-resolution images the paper reviewed revealed impact craters on the taxiways near the tunnel entrances, one building leveled, and small mounds placed along the runway, presumably to prevent enemy aircraft from landing. Battle damage assessments suggested the strikes were intended to cut the underground caverns off from the runway, trapping whatever was inside and preventing takeoff. The report did not state whether U.S. or Israeli aircraft carried out the attack, and Israeli officials declined to comment. However, the U.S. was primarily responsible for pressuring Iran’s southern flank, while the Israelis attacked the western front.

After the fragile April ceasefire collapsed and the U.S. imposed a second blockade, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), based out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and responsible for executing day-to-day operations of the war, launched multiple strikes across Iran on July 15, and Eagle 44 was hit for at least a third time. An analysis published by Soar Atlas, a satellite imagery provider, identified four aimpoints on July 16, with cratered taxiways and damage to additional infrastructure. According to that analysis, the structures targeted were related to the base’s construction unit, but TWZ has not independently verified this claim. The Pentagon and CENTCOM have not specifically named Eagle 44 in any press briefing or release, and Iran has not acknowledged the base was struck.

United States Navy forces on station in mid-July 2026 when the second blockade began and strikes resumed. TWZ/IAN ELLIS-JONES

The Planet Labs satellite imagery from September 29, obtained exclusively by TWZ, indicates that Iran began reconstruction after the July attacks and that the effort is ongoing.

The main runway, previously blocked by obstacles meant to deter and prevent unauthorized aircraft from landing, is now clear. On the western taxiway (marked in red below), a new section leading into the ridge ‘pass-through’ is complete, with its finished upper cement-concrete layer visible. On the other side of the pass, construction of the next segment is underway, with a subgrade layer of stabilized, compacted dirt laid down but not yet paved (orange). Farther south, in front of the western tunnel entrances, impact craters (blue) are still visible. When finished, the second taxiway will provide a direct link between the western hangars and the runway, allowing additional aircraft to move freely without sharing a single taxiway, a major bottleneck for higher operational tempos and more complex sortie launches and recoveries. A second functional taxiway and tunnel would also provide critical redundancy if the other is hit.

Annotated zoomed-in shot of Eagle 44. Photo © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

On the primary eastern taxiway, two dark streaks (green) that appeared following the strikes in July run off the edge of the pavement, likely debris left by equipment that was struck and removed. Notably, the streak marks match the width of the wreckage, suggesting it was bulldozed or pushed off the taxiway to reopen it. There is no sign of the equipment being recovered, only that it was cleared out of the way.

In the main support compound (yellow) next to the western taxiway, two buildings are clearly destroyed and a third is damaged. They have not been rebuilt yet, which is consistent with previous reporting from The Times and Soar Atlas that the attacks degraded construction capabilities, and suggests the regime may be focused on completing and repairing the taxiways rather than the installations.

Annotated key areas of interest at Eagle 44. Photo © 2026 Planet Labs Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

The four entrances to the main tunnel complex (white), arranged in two pairs less than half a mile apart at the end of each taxiway on the southern part of the base, appear to be intact, although the angle makes it unclear whether they are open or sealed. What’s inside the mountain, and how many fighters remain in Iran’s inventory, is unknown. Regardless of the status of the fighter fleet, as we noted earlier, the base can also store drones and could be packed with cruise or ballistic missiles.

The U.S. and Israel have a range of bunker buster bombs that could be used in an attempt to collapse the tunnel entrances, a major choke point for any underground weapons storage site. While not destroying what is being held within, doing so would block anything inside from leaving — and being used — for a period of time. Additionally, the pass-through tunnels make for easy targets, and hitting them would keep fixed-wing aircraft from reaching the runway. No impact points on the mountain itself or damage to the portals inside is apparent, but they could have been sealed and hit farther in, which may not be highly visible via satellite imagery. Reaching the main storage caverns themselves would likely be far harder. Larger bunker busters in the U.S. inventory include the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) guided munition, which could be capable of reaching deeper into the main site, but these are very limited in number and can only be delivered by the Air Force’s B-2A Spirit stealth bombers. It’s highly unlikely the U.S. would expend such resources on a site like this over many others of higher strategic importance.

Eagle 44 is not the only base that Iran is fixing during the lull in hostilities. By the end of May, Iran had cleared 50 of 69 tunnel entrances struck at 18 underground facilities, including some “missile cities,” according to a report by CNN − and that number is likely higher now. Planet Labs, Airbus, and Vantor imagery reviewed by The Wall Street Journal in July showed rebuilt entrances near Kangavar, fresh excavation at Dezful, and repairs near Kermanshah. “They have very impressive industrialization and reconstruction capabilities,” Israeli Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav told the paper. “They refilled their stockpiles,” he added.

A Western official told Bloomberg earlier this month that Iran “remains well-stocked with ballistic missiles and some anti-ship missiles, and can quickly add more,” and a U.S. official posited in May that “the Iranians have exceeded all timelines the IC [Intelligence Community] had for reconstitution.” Both assessments are at odds with what the White House and Pentagon have repeatedly claimed. Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in April that Iran’s air force was “wiped out” and its missile program was “functionally destroyed; launchers, production facilities, and existing stockpiles depleted and decimated,” while acknowledging a week later that the regime was “digging out” launchers, missiles, and bombed facilities but had “no ability to replenish offensive or defensive capabilities.” In May, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper told Congress, “Before Operation Epic Fury, the Iranian Air Force flew between 30 and 100 sorties each day; today that number is zero.” More recently, at a campaign rally in Kansas on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said, “They have no air force… their 229 beautiful fighter jets are now scattered all over the runways, the beautiful runways of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Video released by Iranian state media in May 2022 showing a different underground missile and drone complex.

At the very least, strikes on Eagle 44 cratered the taxiways and degraded support infrastructure, which likely put at least some of whatever airpower is stored there, if any, out of action. But even after enduring months of war and extreme economic pressure due to the ongoing U.S. blockade and sanctions, as well as dealing with damage across the country, Tehran continues to prioritize construction on the remote base. That fact alone could put it back on the target list if the U.S. and Israel launch another operation. But above all else, it points to how important this facility is to the regime, for whatever reason.

Contact the author: ian@twz.com or @ianellisjones

Ian Ellis-JonesHead of Audience Development and Writer

Ian executes TWZ’s full-spectrum social media strategy, brings his interpretive graphics skills to our editorial team as a Staff Writer and OSINT researcher, and maintains the weekly carrier tracker and newsletter.