Its defense strategy has shifted for decades underground. The Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges have been turned into an impregnable network of fortifications. Tehran’s goal is to fully protect its arsenal from foreign bombers and spy satellites.
These facilities, as can be seen from official material released to the public, are not simple warehouses but full military garrisons. They have advanced ventilation systems, autonomous power supply and living quarters, allowing personnel to operate for months in complete isolation.
The “rocket train”
The architecture of the tunnels allows Iran to rapidly mobilize long-range ballistic missiles. Among the technological innovations, the underground rocket transport system stands out.
With this the projectiles are mounted on special rails like train cars. Thus, the need for time-consuming towing vehicle maneuvers is eliminated.
At the same time, the revelation of the “rocket machine gun” system indicates the possibility of successive launches in a minimum time. This particular tactic seeks to saturate and confuse any air defense system, as the volume of fire makes interception extremely difficult.
Base 313: Iran’s underground drone nest
The operational capability of underground cities now extends to drones. Military Base 313 is a prime example of a covert facility for drones, which emerge from the tunnels to carry out missions and return to the underground bunker immediately afterwards. The combination of subsurface ballistic missiles and drones creates a complex and multi-layered problem for US and Israeli strategic planners.
In addition, one of the most important advantages of these bases is the shielding of communications. The contacts between the units are made exclusively through buried fiber optic cables, ensuring that no electronic signals are emitted into the atmosphere. This practice makes it almost impossible to intercept conversations and locate the bases via radio frequencies.
In addition to the hinterland, the Revolutionary Guards have expanded the network to coastal areas in the Persian Gulf. The “coastal missile cities” house anti-ship cruise missiles in cliffs that open directly to the sea, offering Tehran the ability to stealthily dominate the critical Strait of Hormuz.
The targeting challenge
For intelligence analysts, the biggest challenge remains uncertainty. The United States and Israel closely monitor base entrances.
However, mapping the interior remains an unfulfilled strategic goal.
Although satellites can locate the entrances to the facilities, the exact route and depth of the tunnels remain unknown. This lack of accurate information makes any attempt to neutralize the bases through airstrikes extremely risky and of doubtful effectiveness.
