Janice R. Andrews
Iran has unveiled striking footage of an underground “missile city,” showcasing its growing missile capabilities. The footage, broadcast by Iranian media on Friday, features General Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), inspecting the secretive facility.
In one clip, General Salami delivers a speech to his troops, highlighting Iran’s advancing military strength. “Every day, the number of systems and missiles increases in the far corners of this land,” he declared. “The enemy may believe our production has stagnated, but our missile capabilities continue to grow at a rapid pace.”
Additional footage shows Salami examining what appear to be advanced missiles. The exact location and date of the recordings remain undisclosed. Salami, a prominent figure in the IRGC since its inception after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is renowned for his combative rhetoric and loyalty to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
The revelation comes amid escalating tensions in the region. Last October, Israeli military forces reported conducting multiple airstrikes on missile factories and other sites in Tehran and western Iran. Iran downplayed the attacks, claiming they caused minimal damage, but the strikes highlighted the ongoing regional hostilities.
More recently, Israel launched new airstrikes in Yemen targeting Houthi rebel positions, following drone attacks on Israel by the Iran-backed group. Houthi-controlled media reported casualties, including one death and several injuries, resulting from U.S. strikes earlier this week. These attacks coincided with widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
The Middle East remains fraught with tension following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, an Iran-backed militant organization. The attack left around 1,200 people dead and approximately 250 hostages taken. It triggered a brutal war in Gaza, which shows no signs of abating.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, with 109,378 injured amid relentless Israeli air and ground operations. Israel asserts that it has killed more than 17,000 Hamas militants, though it has not provided evidence to support the claim. Civilian casualties, however, have been significant, with women and children making up over half of the fatalities.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced, living in overcrowded camps with limited access to essentials. Although there have been discussions of a ceasefire and a potential hostage exchange, peace remains elusive. A third of the 100 hostages still held in Gaza are feared dead, further adding to the tragedy.
By unveiling its underground “missile city,” Iran has sent a clear signal of defiance, showcasing its readiness amid rising regional conflicts. As tensions grow, the fragile stability of the Middle East hangs in the balance, drawing global attention to the escalating crisis.
