Iran unveils underground weapons depot as tensions rise
In response to increasing pressure from the United States and Israel, Tehran—often revealing new or upgraded military technology—has announced a new military development. However, instead of a new missile or nuclear device, it has unveiled a weapons depot located deep underground.
Ballistic missiles, long-range drones, and cruise missiles have long been the cornerstone of Tehran's military might. Iran can pose a threat to Israel with these—as demonstrated in October 2024—as well as to American bases throughout the Middle East.
With Israeli aircraft easily neutralising Iranian defences and operating unimpeded over Iranian airspace, Iran finds it necessary to conceal its most critical weapons deep underground.
Beneath over 100 metres of earth, these installations are protected against all known conventional weapons available to Israel and the United States. A video purporting to show—according to Iranian sources—another such facility was released online on 25th March.
Iranian underground weapons depot
This announcement follows earlier statements from Tehran, which vowed to reveal "military capabilities that will enrage adversaries." Contrary to earlier speculation, it did not introduce a new weapon model but rather a secure storage location for Iranian armaments.
Besides footage depicting long, curved tunnels stocked with missiles, Iran has yet to disclose technical specifics about the presented base.
Given the resemblance to previously showcased shelters—such as the "missile city" unveiled by the Revolutionary Guard Corps in February 2025—it is assumed that this one too is buried hundreds of feet underground.
How to destroy an underground shelter?
Theoretically, this method offers effective protection against existing weapons designed for demolishing underground bunkers. The most formidable of these is considered to be the American GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator).
This bunker-buster bomb weighs approximately 14,000 kilograms and is engineered to destroy underground complexes. The GBU-57 is more than 6 metres long and can be deployed by B-2 Spirit aircraft.
Released from a significant altitude, it is estimated to have the capability to penetrate 40 metres of solid rock or 60 metres of reinforced concrete. Following modernisation efforts conducted in 2018, the GBU-57's effectiveness was reportedly enhanced, although the Pentagon has not provided detailed information regarding the weapon's capabilities.
