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Iran’s IRGC says building underground sites for weapons production, storage
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps says it is moving weapons production underground so it can continue even during heavy bombardment. The announcement signals Tehran’s effort to strengthen its military capacity amid the war with the United States and Israel, and comes as regional mediation efforts continue.
IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said missile and drone production lines had been transferred from surface sites, and that an underground missile complex would soon be unveiled. He also claimed Iranian weapons use domestic technology and can evade air defences, and warned that limits on missile range had been lifted. The conflict began on 28 February; the article cites reports of billions of dollars in damage to US bases and Gulf infrastructure, alongside US strikes on Qeshm Island, sanctions and a naval blockade.
In short
- Iran says weapons production has moved underground.
- The IRGC says an underground missile complex will be unveiled.
- Mohebbi warned that restrictions on missile range had been lifted.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of moving weapons production underground could argue that Iran has a duty to preserve its ability to deter attack and defend itself, especially after strikes on its territory and military facilities. Dispersed, protected production may make that defence more resilient and reduce the chance that an adversary can disable it with a single bombing campaign.
The case against
Critics could argue that expanding and concealing missile and drone production, while lifting range limits, risks intensifying the conflict and threatening neighbouring countries and civilian infrastructure. They may see the move as weakening prospects for mediation by making Iran’s military intentions harder to assess and encouraging other states to escalate or build up their own arsenals.