Satellite Images Reveal Damage at Iranian Military Facility Near Strait of Hormuz

Misbar, in collaboration with Al Araby TV, analyzed Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and identified signs of damage at an Iranian military facility on the eastern coast of the Strait of Hormuz, near the village of Sarkhoor Taherouei in Hormozgan Province.

A comparison of images captured between July 6 and July 8 reveals visible changes within the facility and its surroundings, suggesting the site may have been struck during the latest wave of U.S. military operations.

The findings come amid escalating military tensions between Washington and Tehran, following U.S. accusations that Iran targeted commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important energy shipping routes.

Where Is the Facility Located?

Misbar identified the site at coordinates 26°33′48.4″N, 57°04′56.0″E (approximately 26.563444, 57.082222), on the eastern coast of the Strait of Hormuz along the Gulf of Oman.

Satellite imagery shows a military naval facility featuring a protected harbor enclosed by a breakwater, internal piers, a slipway for launching and retrieving boats, as well as warehouses, buildings, and logistical support infrastructure.

According to open-source information reviewed by Misbar, the site is known as the Shahid Rahbari Naval Base and serves as a forward operating base for fast attack and patrol boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. The facility covers approximately 31 hectares, including a large harbor basin, docking facilities, and support infrastructure.

What Do the Sentinel-2 Images Reveal?

The analysis relied on imagery obtained through the Copernicus Data Space Browser, using a Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) composite that enhances burn scars and surface changes compared with earlier images.

While the imagery alone cannot determine the type of munition used or the launch platform, it provides sufficient spatial resolution to identify and compare changes before and after the reported strikes.

The images indicate three apparent damage locations within the facility. The first is located near the slipway used for retrieving and servicing boats on the northern side of the harbor. The second appears close to the southern side of a large white warehouse or hangar inside the compound. The third is visible as a darkened area near a rectangular green space resembling a small sports field, with no clear indication that a major building was struck there.

The imagery also shows a noticeable change in the color and reflectivity of the harbor basin. Portions of the water appear darker or gray compared with earlier images, which may indicate burn residue, disturbance of the water surface, or debris resulting from the reported strikes.

How Do the Findings Relate to the Reported U.S. Strikes?

The satellite findings are consistent with statements issued by the U.S. Central Command, which announced on July 8 that it had struck around 90 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, and facilities used to store missiles and drones, in response to attacks on commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz.

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