Iran-Israel War: Know more about ‘Iran’s Secret Missile cities’ carved deep inside mountains

Although Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and lacks intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, its conventional missile programme remains a crucial element of its defence strategy in the ongoing war. 

With a relatively weak air force consisting mainly of ageing MiG-29 and F-14 fighter jets, Tehran relies heavily on its missile stockpile to respond to military pressure from Israel and the United States.

According to analysts, around 2,000 of Iran’s missiles are capable of reaching targets across the Middle East. In addition to ballistic missiles, the country also maintains a large number of cruise missiles and kamikaze drones.

Underground ‘Missile Cities’

To protect its missile capabilities from air strikes, Iran has reportedly constructed extensive underground facilities often referred to as ‘missile cities’. These bases are carved deep inside mountains, sometimes as far as 500 metres below ground. The tunnels are designed to store and launch long-range missiles such as the Shahab-3, Sejil and Khorramshahr, which can travel up to 2,000 kilometres.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force controls these installations and has previously released footage from inside the tunnels to demonstrate its deterrence capabilities.

Strategic Targets and Escalating Conflict

Several of these facilities have reportedly been targeted during recent Israeli and U.S. strikes. Analysts warn that if entrances, launch openings or mobile launch vehicles are destroyed, these underground bases could become ineffective.

A New Type of Warfare

Iran possesses one of the largest missile arsenals in the Middle East, with an estimated 3,000 ballistic missiles, according to a 2022 assessment by the U.S. Central Command. Over the past decade, Tehran has significantly improved the accuracy of these missiles, strengthening a capability that has long raised concerns among Western nations and regional rival Israel.

Military experts describe the ongoing conflict as a ‘war of salvos’, where the outcome depends less on territorial control and more on neutralising the opponent’s missile capabilities. As tensions continue to rise, Iran’s hidden missile infrastructure remains central to the evolving strategic confrontation in the region.