From its earliest days, the Islamic Republic of Iran adopted a defense strategy grounded in realism. We have never considered our neighbors or regional players as true threats; instead, our military designs have consistently focused on the U.S. and the Zionist regime. Aware of their advancements in intelligence, satellite reconnaissance, and air and missile power, Iran shaped its defense doctrine to relocate vital infrastructure underground—shielding it from large-scale attacks. The construction of missile cities, the deployment of underground silos, and the relocation of key facilities to inaccessible locations all stem from this deep and preventative outlook.
Underground Missile Cities: Strategic Legacy of Martyr Hajizadeh
Iran’s underground missile cities have now become one of the most crucial pillars of the Islamic Republic’s deterrence capabilities. This concept was brought to life through the vision and courage of Martyr Amir Ali Hajizadeh, placing Iran among a select group of nations with missile silo technology.
Missile Silos: A Strategic Leap in Defensive Capabilities
One of the most critical achievements on this path was the design and construction of underground missile silos. Inspired by a visit to North Korea, Martyr Hajizadeh brought the idea back to Iran and, with the help of a team of skilled young experts, made it a reality. These silos—designed to be sealed quickly after launch—placed Iran among the few nations possessing such advanced technology. They function as national security insurance policies, enabling secure and surprise missile launches—an advantage that could shift the balance of power if war breaks out.
Missile Cities: Strategic Reservoirs of Iranian Power
Iran’s missile cities are scattered hundreds of meters underground, many of them still undisclosed and unknown. These strategic stockpiles, capable of hosting long-range and precision-guided ballistic missiles, not only enhance Iran’s deterrent power but also provide the ability to deliver rapid and large-scale responses to any threat. The missile systems housed in these facilities are specifically designed to evade satellite detection and surprise attacks.
A crucial point: during the recent 12-day confrontation between Iran and the Zionist regime, the deep, hard-to-reach missile cities were not even activated—meaning a significant portion of Iran’s latent power remains untouched. This sends a clear message to Iran’s adversaries: if necessary, the intensity of conflict can escalate exponentially.
This same doctrine is evident in cases such as the Fordow nuclear facility. Despite former President Trump’s loud claims of damaging this site, to this day, no independent U.S. source has been able to verify such a claim definitively. This demonstrates that from the outset, Iran understood the caliber of its adversaries and crafted its critical infrastructure to endure even the most severe attacks.
Operation “True Promise”: A Field Test for Missile Cities
Iran’s response to the Zionist regime’s June aggression was a real-world demonstration of the missile cities’ capabilities. Operation True Promise 3, conducted under the codename Ya Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH), lasted 12 days and unfolded in 22 consecutive waves. More than 26 strategic Zionist targets were successfully struck by Iranian missiles and drones. This decisive retaliation not only had serious consequences for Tel Aviv but also proved to the world that Iran’s deterrence is both real and operational. Meanwhile, public sentiment in the occupied territories effectively became an extension of Iranian field media, broadcasting the country’s missile capabilities to the world.
At the same time, field sources confirmed that much of Iran’s missile city capacity—and even its naval power—remained unused during this conflict. This means the Islamic Republic still possesses even higher levels of latent power that can be brought to bear if necessary.
IRGC Navy: The Hidden Arm Along the Southern Shores
The Islamic Republic’s deterrent strength is not limited to its land-based missile cities. In recent years, the IRGC Navy has smartly bolstered the maritime dimension of this power. The establishment of underground naval bases along southern coasts and the deployment of missile-launching vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman have fundamentally altered the region’s security dynamics.
What makes this capability exceptional is its elusive and unpredictable nature for adversaries. Accurate intelligence on the location and operational capacity of these naval cities remains out of reach for hostile actors.
In reality, the IRGC Navy—by building such a network—has redrawn the boundaries of traditional warfare and turned the region into a theater where any military adventure against Iran carries incalculable risk. This intelligent, multi-layered presence has become one of the most significant pillars of Iran’s maritime and extraterritorial deterrence strategy.
NOURNEWS