Iran is building underground military complexes capable of sustaining weapons production and storage even under heavy bombardment. Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi announced the development at a news conference in Tehran on Saturday.

Among the military achievements he listed was an “underground missile city” that is due to be unveiled. Mohebbi said missile and drone production lines had been rapidly moved from the surface into underground facilities. This would allow Iran to keep producing missiles while its adversaries believed the country’s stockpiles were shrinking.

The spokesperson also described advances in stealth technology. He said the improvements had enabled Iranian missiles and drones to penetrate air defence systems and accurately hit targets during previous rounds of fighting with the United States and Israel.

Mohebbi stressed that every weapon used by the IRGC Aerospace Force was manufactured using domestic knowledge and expertise. He added that Iranian products were not based on reverse-engineering captured enemy military equipment.

Reports on earlier fighting have pointed to extensive damage across the region. A report by the US newspaper The Wall Street Journal said Iran had caused billions of dollars in damage to US bases throughout the Middle East. A separate Reuters report found that Iran had successfully targeted infrastructure in Gulf countries at least 135 times during the same period, causing billions of dollars in damage and lost revenue.

Mohebbi also warned on Saturday that restrictions on the range of Iranian missiles had been lifted. His statement followed remarks by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who said Iran’s response would have “no geographical limits” if it were attacked again by the United States and Israel.

The war between the US and Israel and Iran began on February 28. Tehran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy crisis. Mediation efforts have recently intensified as regional countries seek to bring the conflict to an end.

On Friday, President Donald Trump said US forces had carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island. He also said Washington had made “a lot of progress” in talks with Tehran.

Iran has repeatedly warned that it would target Gulf energy infrastructure if fighting resumes. Such attacks would likely drive energy prices even higher.

Washington has meanwhile imposed additional sanctions on Iran in an effort to force Tehran to accept its demands. The restrictions have placed further strain on Iran’s economy and forced the country to adopt new trade routes.

On Saturday, US Central Command, or CENTCOM, announced the creation of a new task force. It will support continuing US efforts to prevent Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials. The United States has also imposed a naval blockade on Iran to prevent it from exporting oil.

Source: aljazeera.com