Deep underground: How protected are Iran's 'missile cities'?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has revealed an underground facility containing ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and launchers, as part of efforts to protect Iran's arsenal from Israeli and American strikes. Tehran claims that missile production has also moved underground. Western intelligence assessments indicate a partial recovery of the missile array, but the central question remains open: how capable are these facilities of surviving an aerial attack?

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has unveiled a new underground facility dubbed a 'missile city,' housing ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and launchers. The disclosure aims to demonstrate the survivability of Iran's missile array in the face of potential Israeli and American strikes. Footage released by the Tasnim news agency shows Iranian officials, including Ali Abdollahi and commander Majid Mosavi, touring the vast complex. The exact location of the facility and the extent of its weaponry were not disclosed. Revolutionary Guard spokesman Hossein Mohbi claimed that Iran has also begun moving production lines for missiles and drones to underground complexes, but the footage does not prove this. Western intelligence assessments published by Bloomberg indicate a production capacity of about 50 ballistic missiles per month, roughly half the pre-war rate, and that Iran retains at least 1,700 ballistic missiles. However, these are unverified estimates. The article emphasizes that the depth of the facility is not the sole measure of its immunity, and the ability to strike it depends on intelligence, munitions, and target characteristics. The timing of the disclosure comes amid tensions with the US and Israel and negotiations for a political settlement.