WANA (May 09) – The recent unveiling of the IRGC Navy’s underground drone base is more than just a military showcase—it marks a strategic maturity in Iran’s defense doctrine, combining advanced technology, smart camouflage, and full operational readiness.

 

Revealed on Thursday evening, this base sends a clear message to regional and transregional powers: the balance of deterrence in the region has shifted. Hosting advanced drones such as the Mohajer-6 and Mohajer-10, the facility is part of a vast network of missile, drone, and naval bases across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman.

 

Drones and Missiles: The Backbone of Iran’s Deterrence

Over the past two decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has focused heavily on developing asymmetric capabilities, particularly precision-guided missiles and drones. These underground bases are the result of years of battlefield experience and indigenous technological advancement.

 

The drones stationed here are not merely for reconnaissance; equipped with radar-evading designs, electronic warfare systems, and precision strike capabilities, they have become influential players on the battlefield. For example, the Mohajer-6 drone recently captured footage of the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Persian Gulf. Thanks to its carbon-composite body and electronic countermeasure technologies, it evaded detection by advanced radar systems—identifiable only through direct visual spotting, and even then with difficulty.

 

The Mohajer-10, meanwhile, is capable of 10 hours of continuous flight over strategic targets, executing both reconnaissance and offensive missions with high accuracy. According to military commanders, these drones are capable not only of surveillance but also of offensive operations, disrupting enemy communications, and gathering intelligence, playing vital roles in complex, multi-phase missions.

Strategic Advantage of Underground Bases

What amplifies these capabilities is the infrastructure buried deep underground. Designed with intelligent engineering, these bases offer both protection from potential attacks and the ability to launch surprise counterstrikes.

 

The subterranean structure significantly enhances the survivability and security of vital systems, enabling Iran to respond quickly and decisively in the event of an assault. As IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami stated: “Any point of origin for aggression will be the target of our retaliation.”

 

Western Acknowledgment of Iran’s Drone Power

Iran’s notable progress in drone technology has not gone unnoticed internationally. Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, has declared that Iran now holds a global position in drone capabilities, with various countries adopting Iranian techniques and tactics.

 

Reports from Western research and security institutions confirm that Iran, using advanced technologies and indigenous designs, has produced drones with high precision, efficiency, and destructive power—drones capable of bypassing complex defense systems and reshaping military dynamics in the Middle East.

A new drone called "Mohajer 10" with a range of 2000 km, unveiled by Iran, is seen in Tehran, Iran, August 22, 2023. Iran's Presidency/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

A new drone called “Mohajer 10” with a range of 2000 km, unveiled by Iran, is seen in Tehran, Iran, August 22, 2023. Iran’s Presidency/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

From the Region to the World: Iran’s Expanding Drone Influence

At the premiere of the documentary Parchamdar (“Flag-bearer”), Brigadier General Hajizadeh emphasized that Iran is a “trendsetter” in drone technology, influencing the strategic planning of many other nations. This highlights Iran’s rising status in both military and technological fields.

 

Iranian drones now play a crucial role in long-range missions, multi-layered reconnaissance, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. Strategically, these technologies are at the core of Iran’s deterrence doctrine, which is built on three pillars: active defense, persistent concealment, and rapid, forceful response to threats.

 

Iran Unveils Underground Drone City

WANA (May 08) – Tonight, Iran’s state Television broadcast images of the unveiling of another of the IRGC’s underground cities. The images began with an Iranian drone showing surveillance of the Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, which was being monitored by the Mohajer 6 drone.   This drone is kept in this underground […]

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Smart Drone Deterrence

These underground drone bases, supported by a network of intelligence systems, electronic warfare units, and cutting-edge UAVs, not only safeguard national security but also extend deterrence well beyond Iran’s borders. They serve as a clear warning to adversaries that any aggression will be met with retaliation.

 

In sum, Iran’s drone and underground capabilities are no longer just elements of domestic power—they are now decisive factors in regional and international military equations. With indigenous design, modern technology, and hidden infrastructure, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not only secured the Persian Gulf but also sent an unmistakable message to any potential threat: Iran’s response will be swift, resolute, and unpredictable.