Iran unveils underground missile facility amid rising tensions with Israel

TEHRAN: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran unveiled an underground missile storage facility and announced the development of ‘new specialised missiles’.

The IRGC’s commander, Major General Hossein Salami, referred to the site as a ‘dormant volcano’, indirectly issuing a warning, while he talked about the facility’s strategic importance amid escalating tensions with Israel.

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Footage broadcast on the Iranian state television showed Salami and another officer touring the facility. The IRGC stated that the underground base was utilised in recent military operations against Israel, specifically during missile strikes known as ‘True Promise’ 1 and 2 that took place in April 2024 and October 2024.

 The operations reportedly targeted Israeli military installations, including the Navatim airbase, which is home to advanced F-35 fighter jets.

Salami claimed that Iran possessed more missiles than it “can store” and hinted that the IRGC was preparing to unveil additional underground missile and drone complexes in the near future.

The announcement coincided with the ongoing military exercises by Iranian forces, including a large-scale drill involving 110,000 volunteer forces in Tehran.

An officer from the IRGC stated that the upcoming drills would reveal ‘missile and drone cities’, including facilities located in southern part of the country.

Iran’s military activities are viewed as a response to threats from Israel. The situation is particularly dire for the Islamic regime as its allies in the Middle East fell one by one, lessening its influence in the region.

Hezbollah suffered heavy casualties in Lebanon last year as most of its leadership and underground bunkers were targeted by Israel.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a huge Iran and Russian ally, fled the country following his forces’ defeat at the hands of a rebel faction.  

With crippling Western sanctions decimating its economy, Russia embroiled in a three-year long war in Ukraine, and growing domestic discontent, the Islamic regime is in a precarious position.

Israel also conducted airstrikes against Iranian missile manufacturing sites and military assets last year. In October, the occupying force targeted Iranian positions in  retaliation for the missile attacks launched from Iran.

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The IRGC’s recent statements reflect the country’s intent to asset its military capabilities in the region.