In boost for its military, Iran unveils underground naval base with missile-equipped assault boats

The naval arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has unveiled an underground naval base housing dozens of missile-equipped assault boats, state television reported on Saturday (January 18).

The exact location of the facility was not disclosed, with the broadcaster stating only that it is situated in Iran’s strategic southern waters, encompassing the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman.

According to the report, the base is located 500 meters underground and has been created to boost Iran’s naval capabilities in these key waterways.

State television asserted that some vessels housed at the newly revealed base are “capable of destroying US warships and destroyers.”

Footage aired by state television showed Guards chief General Hossein Salami touring the facility alongside Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval arm.

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The unveiling comes just days before US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday (January 20) for his second term. During his first term, Trump adopted a “maximum pressure” policy against Iran, withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposing extensive sanctions.

Given the Trump threat, and the setbacks it has suffered in West Asia, Iran has intensified efforts to strengthen its military capabilities.

A significant development in this direction is the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (January 17).

In the agreement, Moscow and Tehran have promised to work together against common military threats and take part in joint exercises and develop their “military-technical cooperation”.

Additionally, Iran has recently inducted into its military 1,000 new drones that reportedly have high stealth and anti-fortification abilities. Alongside this, a warship to enhance the country’s navy was also set to be inducted.

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Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the Iranian Army for Coordination had said last week that additional upgraded vessels and flight units are expected to join the Navy in the near future.

With inputs from agencies