BLUNDERING Iranian top brass are watching their prized missile arsenals become entombed underground amid US and Israeli blitzes

Bunkers housing Iran’s vast stockpile of munitions have become prime targets in the ongoing conflict, and sources say the strikes could leave Tehran unable to access much of its own arsenal.

Sprawling compounds built deep underground—some extending up to 1,600 feet below the surface—were constructed by Iran to shield its suicide drones and missiles from attack.

Developed over decades, the facilities were intended to protect the regime’s weapons from destruction in the event of military strikes.

Iran previously showcased the complexes in propaganda videos, displaying an extensive network of tunnels filled with rows of bombs and Shahed drones.

Scattered across the country, these facilities store weapons including Shahab-3 missiles, which have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers.

But in a major blow to the Islamic Republic, the underground “missile cities” have now become a focus for Donald Trump, who has vowed to cripple the regime’s military capabilities.

After barrages of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, many of the bunkers may now be largely inaccessible, potentially leaving large quantities of Iranian weapons buried underground.

Military sources believe Iranian forces rushed to move missiles and mobile launchers into the bunkers as the U.S. built up forces in the Middle East in the weeks leading up to the operation known as Epic Fury.

Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, said the destruction or isolation of these munitions could significantly weaken Tehran’s military.

“The underground bunkers and missile cities are very susceptible to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes because the entrances can be destroyed, leaving the Iranian regime unable to access the weapons stored inside,” Brodsky said.

“This degrades the Islamic Republic’s ability to project power beyond its borders and reduces the threat to the United States and its allies.”

He added that while such strikes alone may not lead to regime change, they could leave the government weakened and focused on domestic challenges rather than regional aggression.

One major target is Khorramabad, Iran’s largest “missile city” located in Lorestan province.

The complex has served as both a storage facility and launch site for surface-to-surface and cruise missiles and was already hit during earlier strikes last summer.

Iran’s missile arsenal has long been considered one of its most powerful military tools, particularly after U.S. and Israeli operations severely damaged its air-defense systems during the 12-day conflict last June.

Many of the systems used to launch missiles—including mobile launchers and fixed launch ramps—were also reportedly destroyed.

Satellite imagery released in recent days appears to show smoldering missile wreckage and damaged launch equipment near bunker entrances targeted by airstrikes.

Images of the Kermanshah missile base taken on March 4 show heavily damaged buildings and possible destruction near tunnel entrances.

Another photo from Tabriz taken on March 1 appears to show the entrance to an underground weapons bunker collapsed.

The United States and Israel continued their bombardment overnight with what officials describe as the most intense strikes since the conflict began a week ago.

Israel reportedly struck 170 locations using 80 jets that dropped roughly 230 bombs, destroying an underground ballistic-missile factory and a military academy.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the campaign has now hit approximately 3,000 targets since the mission began.

According to reports, bombers are concentrating strikes on active launch sites and military movements.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the top American commander in the Middle East, said the effort is focused on eliminating Iran’s remaining ballistic-missile launchers.

“We’re hunting Iran’s last remaining ballistic missile launchers to eliminate what I would characterize as their lingering ballistic missile capability,” Cooper said.

“We’re seeing Iran’s ability to strike the United States and our partners declining.”

During the past week, Iran has launched attacks targeting Israel, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—all countries that host U.S. military bases.

However, Iran’s ability to launch large missile barrages appears to be rapidly decreasing, suggesting its military may be running low on weapons or losing access to stored munitions.

Tehran had previously attempted to overwhelm regional air defenses with waves of missiles and drones.

But by Wednesday, just days into the conflict, United States Central Command reported that Iran’s missile launch capacity had dropped by 86 percent.

In a sign of the mounting pressure, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian said his country would not attack Gulf nations unless attacked first.

Pezeshkian also issued a rare apology to neighboring countries that have been struck during the fighting.

“I deem it necessary to apologize to neighboring countries that were attacked,” he said.

“We do not intend to invade neighboring countries.”

Despite the apology, Pezeshkian rejected President Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender, calling it a “dream they should take to their grave.”

His remarks were delivered in a pre-recorded speech broadcast on state television.

Meanwhile, Gulf nations reported intercepting additional ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran.

Saudi Arabia said it shot down four drones targeting the Shaybah oil field, marking the second attempted attack in a matter of hours.

Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily disrupted after passengers were directed into underground train tunnels when explosions were heard and alerts sounded.

At the same time, Israeli warplanes continued strikes against targets in Beirut and Tehran.

President Trump has also approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel, reiterating that the United States will not negotiate with Iran unless the regime agrees to surrender.

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