Iran's Underground Missile City: A Formidable Challenge to Iron Dome Defenses
As Iran continues to launch drone strikes across the Middle East, a massive fortified underground complex known as 'Missile City' remains poised and operational deep beneath the earth. Recently released footage from Iranian state media offers a rare glimpse into one of the largest such facilities in the Islamic Republic, showcasing an extensive arsenal designed to test defensive systems like Israel's Iron Dome to their absolute limits.
A Vast Arsenal Revealed
The video, set to dramatic music and serving as a propaganda tool, depicts tunnels lined with thousands of precision-guided missiles. Among the weaponry believed to be housed there are the Kheibar Shekan with a range of 900 miles, the Haj Qassem at 850 miles, the Ghadr H extending 1,240 miles, the Sejjil reaching 1,550 miles, and the Emad with a 1,050-mile range. Additionally, a massive collection of drones is visible, accompanied by a wall-to-wall hanging depicting the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, all underscored by the ominous sound of a ticking clock in the background.
Propaganda and Military Strength
This footage was released last year as a show of strength following Operation Epic Fury, a joint UK and Israel initiative that targeted Iran's Supreme Leader in his Tehran compound. During the tour, two senior Iranian military figures were prominently featured: chief of staff of the armed forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri and IRGC aerospace force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, both of whom were later killed in an Israeli strike in June 2025.
Bagheri is seen walking over an Israeli flag painted on the floor before boarding a military vehicle, symbolically asserting dominance. Addressing personnel, he declared, 'Iran's iron fist is far stronger than before. 10 times stronger than True Promise II.' He elaborated that all defensive dimensions necessary for a military capability ten times more potent than that deployed during Operation True Promise II have been established.
Historical Context and Implications
Operation True Promise II refers to Iran's missile retaliatory attack against Israel on April 13, 2024, which reportedly saw 90 percent of missiles hit their intended targets. Bagheri further emphasized that the pace of Iran's defensive development is 'far faster than the pace of the enemies,' according to Press TV reports. This rapid advancement raises significant concerns about the ability of systems like the Iron Dome to effectively counter such a concentrated and diverse missile threat from an underground fortress.
The existence of Missile City underscores escalating tensions in the region, with Iran leveraging its subterranean capabilities to project power and challenge adversaries. As conflicts persist, this fortified base represents a critical element in the ongoing military dynamics, potentially reshaping defensive strategies and regional security calculations.
