Iranian-Run Media Showcases IRGC Underground Missile Base

The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here. 

On November 7, 2024, a website linked to Lebanese Hizbullah published a Farsi-language video, with Arabic subtitles, produced by an Iranian state-run media outlet, Al-Alam.[1]

The four-minute video documented a visit by Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, an Iranian military officer who serves as the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces. In the video, the general was visiting a missile base which was 500 meters underground.

Hajizadeh was accompanied by an Iranian reporter who emphasized Iran's readiness to counter any Israeli attack by highlighting the variety of missiles that the base contained.

Without revealing the location of the base, the reporter started his coverage by stating that, buried 500-meters underground, there was a "city that the enemy cannot think of, so come join us and have a sneak peek into the defensive deterrence of the army of Islamic Iran."

Next, Hajizadeh is shown visiting the troops inside the base, and examining various kinds of weaponry, including long-range missiles and missile launchers.

He then tells the reporter: "I promise the Iranian people that the country will not be subjected to any damage, or threat, or instability, from beyond the borders."

Claiming that this base was one of many spread across the country, the reporter, who is wearing a military uniform, argues that the missile base is like "a volcano buried under the ground; but if it erupts, it will be destructive to any oppressive enemy."

Hajizadeh tells the reporter: "Many countries are unstable, but ours is at the peak of stability, thanks to the around-the-clock efforts of the armed forces, the Revolutionary Guards, police, and mobilization forces."

Praising Hajizadeh, the reporter said that the IRGC commander has been touring bases and missile installations around the country to ensure that Iran's military capabilities were at their peak, in strength and readiness.

Hajizadeh tells the reporter that every province in Iran has at least one missile base.

"It is rare for a province or city to have only one missile base. We have many units and many missiles, and we are continuing with this strategy."

Hajizadeh reiterated that the missile base he was visiting was one of many, adding that some of them were above ground, and some underground:

"What you are seeing is an iceberg, some of it above the water and some of it under the water."

The reporter then described the base they were visiting, saying that it had countless connected tunnels with long-range ballistic missiles placed on launchers, ready to be fired.

Hajizadeh also confirms to the reporter that troops were ready and waiting for orders from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The reporter adds that the base they were visiting had a satellite surveillance system. He noted that even if this base were discovered by the enemy, the enemy would be unable to deal with the rest of Iran's missile bases.

Hajizadeh tells the reporter that Iran is prepared and has many "under the table" options to deal with any external threat.