Iran Conducts Air Defense Drills and Unveils Underground Missile Facility

Iran held air defense exercises on Saturday, according to state media, amid increasing tensions with both Israel and the United States under the incoming administration of President Donald Trump. The drills, which are part of a larger two-month-long military exercise launched on January 4, focus on countering air, missile, and electronic warfare threats to protect the country's skies and vital areas.

The exercises come at a time of heightened geopolitical concerns, with many fearing that Trump could embolden Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Additionally, there are expectations that Trump’s "maximum pressure" policy will further tighten sanctions on Iran’s oil industry.

The ongoing military maneuvers have already included simulations in which the Iranian Revolutionary Guards defended key nuclear sites, such as Natanz, from mock missile and drone attacks. Iran has incorporated new drones and missile technology into these exercises, with the IRGC Commander-in-Chief, Major General Hossein Salami, overseeing a new "missile city" facility.

Despite some recent setbacks in Lebanon and Syria, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah faced Israeli attacks and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s position was weakened, Salami emphasized the growing strength of Iran’s missile forces. However, some internal reports, like a speech by General Behrouz Esbati, suggest a more dire assessment of Iran’s position in Syria.

In a related development, Iran also revealed the Razvan suicide drone, which closely resembles Israel’s UVision Hero series. The drone has a range of 20 km and can stay in the air for 20 minutes, transmitting live video to its operator for precision strikes. Iran also announced plans to deploy 1,000 such drones, which would enhance their precision, mobility, and intelligence capabilities.

Meanwhile Iran recently revealed footage of its underground weapons storage facility, which has reportedly been used in previous attacks against Israel. According to Iranian semi-official media site Tasnim, the facility houses "new special missiles," and Tehran officials have emphasized the expansion of its missile capabilities. The video was broadcast on IRIB, showing key military figures, including IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, touring the site.

The facility is said to contain Qadr missiles, a type of long-range surface-to-surface missile first unveiled in 2007. These missiles reportedly feature a modular warhead capable of holding multiple bombs. During the visit, Salami highlighted that the growth of Iran's missile production continues at an accelerated pace, with new developments expected in the near future.

Additionally, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been preparing for new drills, which may activate hidden missile and drone cities in southern Iran. These drills coincide with recent tensions and a display of military power in Tehran, where Basij forces paraded with heavy weaponry, some carrying coffins decorated with Israeli flags.