Iran unveiled an underground naval missile base at an undisclosed Gulf location on Saturday, state TV said, two days before the start of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States.
It was unveiled at a time when there are widespread fears of increased tensions with Washington. Iranian leaders worry that Trump could empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attack Iran’s nuclear sites, while tightening U.S. sanctions on its oil industry through his “maximum pressure” policy.
State television showed Revolutionary Guards chief General Hossein Salami visiting the secret base during war games. He said it was one of several surfaced ships capable of launching long-range missiles and carrying out remote warfare.
“We assure the great nation of Iran that their youth are capable of coming out honorably and victoriously from the battle at sea against enemies big and small,” Salami said.
State television said the base was built at a depth of 500 meters somewhere in the gulf and showed long lined tunnels, adding that it was a new version of the Taregh-class radar-evading speedboats that can intercept cruise missiles. Can launch.
Earlier this month, Iran began military exercises that were supposed to take place over the past two months and already include war games in which Revolutionary Guards defended nuclear installations in Natanz against simulated attacks by missiles and drones.
Iran, which says its ballistic missiles are a vital deterrent and retaliatory force against the US and Israel, has unveiled several underground “missile cities” in the past.
