Iran Unveils Underground Missile City
Executive Summary
Iran has publicly revealed a vast underground ballistic missile facility just days after reports that Israel and the United States had discussed military options targeting Iran’s nuclear program. The unveiling of the new “missile city” — containing thousands of precision-guided ballistic and cruise missiles — is a calculated show of force by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), signaling both deterrence and defiance. It follows escalating rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a new nuclear deal with Iran under threat of military action.
Analysis
Footage released by Iranian state television this week showed IRGC commanders touring a subterranean missile complex spanning dozens of kilometers, described by officials as only one of many such installations across the country. The base reportedly houses an array of long-range weapons, including the Khaybar Shekan, Haj Qasem, Sejjil, Emad, and Paveh cruise missiles — signaling a significant expansion of Iran’s strategic strike capabilities.
Major General Mohammad Bagheri emphasized that Iran’s military development is “outpacing” its adversaries, referencing a sharp increase in missile production and deployment. The timing of this display is not coincidental. It came hours after U.S. intelligence officials asserted that Iran had not reactivated its nuclear weapons program — an attempt, perhaps, to defuse tensions — even as the Trump administration hardened its stance.
Trump’s special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, recently confirmed that the president sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader warning of two options: military conflict or a new nuclear accord. Iran rejected the overture, labeling it a “deception” and vowing not to negotiate under pressure. Meanwhile, Trump has resumed his “maximum pressure” campaign, ramping up sanctions and threatening to enforce oil export restrictions more aggressively.
Simultaneously, Israeli leaders have renewed discussions with the U.S. about potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Joint air drills between U.S. and Israeli forces have featured heavy bombers capable of targeting fortified facilities, further raising the specter of a preemptive campaign against Iran.
Iran’s missile base reveal serves multiple purposes: it aims to deter a potential attack, bolster internal confidence, and underscore its capacity to retaliate. The move also comes as Iran faces growing international scrutiny over its regional proxy networks and missile programs, and follows earlier confrontations involving Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
While Iran insists its missile arsenal is purely defensive and its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, the underground facility announcement marks a clear warning to both Washington and Tel Aviv. It also complicates Trump’s broader Middle East strategy, which seeks a hardline posture on Iran while maintaining diplomatic flexibility.
