Iran opens underground naval base in attempt to counter Israeli threat

Iran presented an underground naval base capable of confronting “big and small enemies”.

Footage broadcast by state television shows a large number of speedboats lined up in what looks like an underground tunnel.

It is reported to be part of a “secret” base built at a depth of 500 meters in an undisclosed location in the Persian Gulf.

State television showed Revolutionary Guard Chief General Hossein Salami visiting the base with Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tansiri.

This is happening, as Iranian leaders fear President-elect Donald Trumpwho will accept from Joe Biden the following his inauguration in Washington later today, may authorize the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.

In the video, General Salami said the base was one of several built underground for vessels capable of launching long-range missiles and conducting long-range combat operations.

“We assure the great nation of Iran that its young people are capable of emerging with honor and victory from the battle on the seas against enemies great and small,” he said.

State television showed tunnels with long rows of, he said, a new version of Tareg-class speedboats capable of launching cruise missiles.

It also broadcast footage of speedboats firing missiles at targets in the sea.

“The huge amount (of equipment) that we saw today is a small part of the naval power of the Revolutionary Guards built up in recent years,” General Salami said.

Iran recently held military exercises amid speculation of an attack by Israel, with security forces holding two air defense drills near key nuclear sites in Natang and Fordow.

Israel and Iran have traded blows since then Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, with neither side appearing to want a full-scale conflict.

Last year, Iranian proxy forces, including Gaza (Hamas), Lebanon (Hezbollah) and Yemen (Houthi rebels) are attacking Israeli and other Western assets in the region as part of the so-called Axis of Resistance in response to the situation in Gaza, where, according to local authorities, more than It is reported that during the 15- 46,000 people were killed in Israel’s month-long military campaign.