Iranian military claims new underground factories for weapons

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps announced on Saturday that Iran has built underground military complexes designed to sustain weapons production and storage during heavy bombardment. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi detailed these new capabilities at a news conference in Tehran. He stated that the forces have rapidly moved missile and drone production lines from the surface to subterranean facilities. This shift allows Iran to keep manufacturing weapons while adversaries believe its stockpiles are shrinking.

Mohebbi told reporters that an underground missile city is ready for unveiling, according to the Tasnim news agency. He also claimed that advancements in stealth technology have enabled Iranian missiles and drones to bypass air defense systems. He said these improvements allowed for accurate strikes on targets during previous conflicts with the United States and Israel. Mohebbi emphasized that all weapons used by the IRGC Aerospace Force are now made with local expertise. He added that the products are not derived from reverse engineering captured enemy equipment.

The announcement follows recent reports on the scale of damage caused by Iran in recent fighting. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran inflicted billions of dollars in damage to US bases in the Middle East. A separate Reuters report found that Iranian attacks targeted Gulf infrastructure on at least 135 occasions. Those strikes resulted in billions of dollars in lost revenues and physical damage. Mohebbi warned that restrictions on the range of Iranian missiles have been lifted.

This warning aligns with a statement from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He said there would be no geographical limits to Iran’s response if the US and Israel attack again. The current conflict began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched a war on Iran. Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response, triggering a global energy crisis. Regional countries have stepped up mediation efforts in recent weeks to end the fighting.

President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US military conducted limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island. He claimed Washington had made a lot of progress in talks with Iran. Tehran has warned it will target Gulf energy infrastructure if fighting resumes, which would likely push energy prices higher. The US has imposed additional sanctions to force Iran to concede to its demands. These restrictions have strained the Iranian economy and forced the country to adopt new trade routes.

US Central Command announced on Saturday that it is establishing a new task force. The unit will support efforts to stop Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials. Washington also maintains a naval blockade to prevent Iran from exporting oil. These measures aim to limit Iran’s ability to fund its military expansion and sustain its defense industry.