TEHRAN — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced the construction and expansion of vast underground sites designated for weapons manufacturing and storage, designed to withstand sustained aerial attack.
According to military statements, the fortified subterranean installations are engineered to ensure that missile production can continue unabated, even under conditions of heavy bombardment by hostile forces.
What Happened
In an announcement from Iranian military leadership, the IRGC confirmed that specialized underground complexes are actively being built and utilized to shelter critical defense infrastructure. The move signals a strategic priority to shield key offensive and defensive capabilities from potential preemptive or retaliatory strikes by regional adversaries.
Officials stated that the primary function of these deeply buried complexes is to maintain operational continuity, specifically guaranteeing that missile assembly and production lines remain functional during wartime conditions.
Key Details
- Hardened Infrastructure: The sites are constructed underground to mitigate the impact of bunker-penetrating munitions and sustained airstrikes.
- Dual-Purpose Facilities: The subterranean networks are designated for both the active production of armaments and the secure, long-term storage of missile stockpiles.
- Focus on Continuity: Statements emphasize that manufacturing capacity will not be severed even if surface military facilities face severe damage.
What We Know So Far
Iran has previously showcased subterranean military bases—often termed "missile cities"—cut into mountainous terrain across several provinces. However, official statements increasingly highlight the transition of active manufacturing units underground, moving beyond mere depot and launch-site capabilities.
Reports indicate that the IRGC has prioritized its domestic ballistic and cruise missile programs as central components of its conventional deterrence strategy. By embedding production lines deep beneath the earth, military planners aim to limit the effectiveness of precision air campaigns targeting industrial military nodes.
"Underground military complexes allow missile production to continue even under heavy bombardment," according to statements attributed to the IRGC.
What to Watch
The announcement is expected to draw scrutiny from international intelligence agencies and regional powers, particularly Israel and the United States, who monitor developments in Iran's military infrastructure closely.
Observers will be monitoring for any satellite imagery, official state media broadcasts, or further technical details revealing the geographical spread, depth, and specific weapons systems housed within these fortified complexes.