Iran Flexes Military Muscle, Unveils Underground 'Missile City' Amid Rising Tensions With US | WATCH

Iran last week unveiled an extensive underground missile facility, displaying some of its most formidable weapons in what appears to be a direct warning to Israel and the United States.

Footage broadcast by Iranian state media showed 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 so-called "missile city."

The video showcased a range of 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), alongside the Paveh Land Attack Cruise Missile. These same weapons have reportedly been deployed in recent attacks against Israel.

However, military analysts have raised concerns about a potential weakness-namely, that the missiles are stored in vast tunnels lacking blast doors or reinforced barriers. This could create a major vulnerability, as an attack on the facility might trigger a chain explosion.

During his visit, General Bagheri was filmed stepping on an Israeli flag painted on the floor, reinforcing Iran's defiant stance. He declared, "Iran's iron fist is far stronger than before-ten times stronger than True Promise I."

He further stated, "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 comments referred to Iran's April 2023 missile assault on Israel under Operation True Promise, underscoring Tehran's continued defiance amid escalating hostilities.

US Pressure and Escalation Risks

The revelation of the missile city coincides with heightened tensions, as US President Donald Trump recently warned that Iran must agree to a new nuclear deal within two months or face serious consequences. Washington has hinted at potential military action if Tehran refuses to comply.

Iran has dismissed the ultimatum, asserting that its missile and nuclear programmes are non-negotiable. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rebuffed Trump's demands, branding the US a "bully."

Meanwhile, US airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have intensified, with Washington directly blaming Tehran for attacks in the region.

This latest underground facility is part of Iran's broader strategy to expand hidden military infrastructure. In 2020, the country revealed a ballistic missile site with underground transport tunnels, followed by another complex designed to shield combat aircraft three years later.

Despite Iran's military posturing, experts caution that stockpiling missiles in large underground chambers without adequate protection could pose a severe risk, as a single strike could lead to catastrophic explosions.

With the US deploying additional aircraft carriers to the region and Iran refusing to yield, the likelihood of confrontation remains high. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that while indirect talks with Washington might be possible, direct negotiations would not take place under Trump's "maximum pressure" strategy.

For now, Iran's underground missile cities serve as a symbol of defiance-but with tensions at their peak, the threat of military conflict continues to loom.