Wall Street Journal Report: Iran Used Ceasefire to Rebuild Military Capabilities

A report by the Wall Street Journal indicates that Iran has utilized the relative calm following the June 17 memorandum of understanding with the United States to rapidly rebuild its missile network, expand the Revolutionary Guards' control over the military, and prepare for a potentially wider war. According to intelligence and informed sources, Tehran believes the main conflict has yet to begin and that the US and Israel have used the agreement to buy time. The memorandum was intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities, offering Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear negotiations and the reopening of maritime routes. However, reports suggest that while diplomats were negotiating, Mojtaba Khamenei and the IRGC were working to strengthen military infrastructure and improve the precision of missiles and drones. IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi told Tasnim News Agency in July that Iran had fully utilized the ceasefire period to enhance its capabilities and accelerate missile production. Furthermore, Arab intelligence sources report a strategic shift in Iran's leadership, involving coordination with militias in Iraq and Yemen to increase pressure on the US and its regional allies. Significant changes have also been made to Iran's military command structure, including the appointment of Mohsen Rezaee as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Ahmad Vahidi as commander of the IRGC. These moves are reportedly aimed at establishing a more offensive posture and strengthening internal intelligence networks.