Watch: Iran unveils massive underground ‘missile city’ as regional tensions mount
Iran last week revealed an extensive underground missile facility, showcasing some of its most powerful weapons in what appears to be a direct message to Israel and the United States. Iranian state media aired footage of Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC Aerospace Force, inspecting the missile city.
The footage displayed missiles including the Kheibar Shekan (900-mile range), Haj Qassem (850 miles), Ghadr-H (1,240 miles), Sejjil (1,550 miles), and Emad (1,050 miles), along with the Paveh Land Attack Cruise Missile. These same weapons have reportedly been used in recent strikes against Israel.
However, military analysts noted a potential vulnerability—the missiles were stored in vast tunnels without blast doors or reinforced barriers, raising concerns about possible chain explosions if the facility were targeted in an attack.
During his visit, General Bagheri was filmed stepping on an Israeli flag painted on the floor, reinforcing Iran’s confrontational stance. “Iran’s iron fist is far stronger than before—ten times stronger than True Promise I,” he declared. “All the [defensive] dimensions that are required for generating a [military] capability that is 10 times [stronger than] the one deployed during Operation True Promise II have been created… The enemy will fall behind in this balance of power.”
His remarks referenced Iran’s April 2023 missile attack on Israel under Operation True Promise, stressing Tehran’s continued defiance amid escalating hostilities.
US pressure and risk of escalation
The unveiling of the missile city comes at a time of heightened tensions, with US President Donald Trump recently warning Iran to agree to a new nuclear deal within two months or face consequences. Washington has hinted at possible military action if Tehran refuses to comply.
Iran has rejected the demand, insisting that its missile and nuclear programmes are non-negotiable. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed Trump’s approach, calling the US a “bully.” Meanwhile, US airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have escalated, with Washington directly blaming Tehran for attacks in the region.
This underground facility is part of Iran’s broader strategy of expanding hidden military infrastructure. In 2020, Iran revealed a ballistic missile site with underground transport tunnels, followed by another complex for protecting combat aircraft three years later.
Despite Tehran’s military posturing, experts warn that storing large missile stockpiles in open underground spaces could pose a significant risk, as a single strike might trigger a catastrophic explosion.
With the US deploying additional aircraft carriers to the region and Iran refusing to back down, the likelihood of confrontation remains high. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signalled that while indirect talks with Washington may be possible, direct negotiations will not take place under Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy.
For now, Iran’s underground missile cities serve as a statement of defiance—but with tensions at a boiling point, the threat of military conflict looms.
