Iran moves missile and drone factories underground to withstand air strikes

Iran is constructing fortified subterranean facilities designed to manufacture and store military hardware even under intense aerial attacks, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Speaking at a media briefing in Tehran on Saturday, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi outlined several recent developments in the country's defense sector, Iranian news outlets reported. He stated that manufacturing operations for drones and missiles were quickly relocated beneath the earth from surface-level locations. This shift, according to Mohebbi, ensures that arms manufacturing can proceed uninterrupted while opponents mistakenly believe Tehran's munitions are being depleted.

Among the projects highlighted was a forthcoming facility described as an underground missile city, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency. Mohebbi additionally pointed to progress in stealth capabilities, stating that upgraded designs enabled Iranian aerial systems to bypass air defense networks and hit designated targets in earlier engagements with Israel and the United States. He also emphasized that the weapons deployed by the IRGC Aerospace Force rely entirely on domestic development rather than the reverse engineering of captured foreign equipment, state news agency IRNA reported.

Mohebbi stated that limits on the operational range of Iranian missiles have been removed. The announcement comes after remarks by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who asserted that Iran would observe no geographic constraints in retaliating against any renewed strikes by American or Israeli forces.

The broader military conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran began on February 28, leading Tehran to shut down transit through the Strait of Hormuz and sparking international disruptions in energy markets. While regional intermediaries have intensified diplomatic measures to halt the fighting, tensions remain elevated.

On Friday, United States President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had conducted targeted attacks on Qeshm Island, while simultaneously asserting that negotiators had achieved substantial ground in diplomatic discussions. Tehran has cautioned that it would strike energy assets across the Gulf region if hostilities reignite, a scenario that could drive global fuel prices higher.

The United States has concurrently stepped up economic penalties and enforced a maritime embargo to halt Iranian petroleum shipments. To counter weapons distribution over ground networks, United States Central Command announced on Saturday the formation of a specialized task force aimed at blocking Iranian supply corridors.