TEHRAN — Iranian state television has broadcast footage showing senior military officials visiting an underground weapons manufacturing facility, offering a public look at Iran’s underground defense-production infrastructure.
The visit took place on August 22 during Iran’s Defense Industry Day. Major General Ali Abdollahi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Acting Defense Minister Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ebn al-Reza inspected the facility, which Iranian reports described as one of several underground production lines operated by the Ministry of Defense.
Iranian officials said the facility produces ballistic missiles and other defensive weapons. Abdollahi said military equipment production had increased in both quantity and quality over the past year, with newer systems offering improved capabilities compared with earlier versions. Iranian state media also reported that production capacity for attack drones had tripled since late February.
— August 22, 2026
Almas Missile Production Line
The broadcast showed an active production line for the Almas family of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Analysts examining the footage identified Almas-series missiles and launch tubes, while a planetary mixer used in solid-fuel production was visible in the background. Some portions of the broadcast were archival footage.
The Almas is an Iranian-developed non-line-of-sight (NLOS) anti-tank missile with a man-in-the-loop guidance system, allowing an operator to guide the missile during flight. The system was developed through reverse engineering of Israeli Spike missiles captured by Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon conflict and later transferred to Iran.
Serial production of the Almas family began around 2021. The missiles are in service with the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and have also been supplied to regional groups, including Hezbollah.
The family includes several variants, with reported ranges from about 4 kilometers for earlier models to longer distances for later versions. The missiles use tandem warheads and are designed for top-attack profiles against armored vehicles and fortifications.
Iran’s Underground Defense Facilities
Iran has previously displayed underground facilities, sometimes referred to as “missile cities,” used for storing and supporting ballistic missiles, drones and related systems. The latest broadcast focused on an active production facility rather than storage alone.
Iran has long used underground infrastructure for sensitive military activities, including missile-related facilities, aircraft shelters and weapons production. The latest footage was presented by Iranian officials as evidence that domestic defense production continues despite recent regional conflicts and international sanctions.
The broadcast comes amid continued regional military tensions and follows earlier conflicts involving Iran. Iranian officials used the visit to highlight the continued operation and expansion of the country's domestic military-production capabilities.
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