Iran unveils new underground naval base amid US-Israel tensions By Reuters

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran unveiled an underground naval missile base in an undisclosed location in the Gulf on Saturday, two days before the start of Donald Trump’s second term as president.

The announcement comes at a time when tensions with Washington are likely to rise sharply. Iranian leaders fear Trump could give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the authority to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities as he tightens US sanctions on the oil industry under his “high pressure” policy.

State television showed Revolutionary Guards commander General Hossein Salami visiting the secret base during the war games. He said it was one of the few submarines built for long-range missile launches and long-range warfare.

“We will assure the great country of Iran that its youth will be able to fight with honor and victory against enemies big and small at sea,” Salami said.

The state television station was built somewhere in the Gulf at a depth of 500 meters (yards) and showed long rows of tunnels where a new version of the Tareg-class radar-evading speedboats could launch cruise missiles.

Earlier this month, Iran began two months of military exercises that have already included war games in which Revolutionary Guards have defended nuclear facilities in Natanz from missile and drone attacks.

Iran, which says its ballistic missiles are a critical deterrent and countermeasure against the US and Israel, has previously unveiled several underground “missile” sites.