Iran's Secret Missile Site Revealed In Mountainous Region

Apparent remains of ballistic missile near Dead Sea following attack by Iran on Israel

A leading Iranian dissident group has revealed information about a secret site where the Islamic Republic of Iran allegedly stores and prepares missiles for various purposes. The camp, known as the Shahid Soltani Garrison, is located in a mountainous region outside Eshtehard City, northwest of Tehran. It is heavily guarded and surrounded by two rows of barbed wire.

The dissident group reported increased activity at the camp in late 2024, with more than ten trailers carrying missile parts entering in July. The site reportedly houses various ballistic missiles, including the Shahab-3, Qiam, Fateh, and Fath series.

After launching a significant attack on Israel in April, Iran shifted its focus to ballistic weapons, launching over 180 ballistic missiles into Israeli airspace on October 1. The attack involved a mix of liquid-propellant systems like the Emad and Ghadr missiles, as well as solid-propellant missiles such as the Kheibar Shekan and the hypersonic Fattah-1.

Following these attacks, the U.S. deployed its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Tel Aviv to protect Israel from further missile strikes. The dissident group provided satellite imagery showing the layout of the Shahid Soltani Garrison, which includes above-ground storage sites established over 15 years ago and underground tunnels built between 2017 and 2021.

Camp located in a mountainous region outside Eshtehard City, heavily guarded.

Iran's Shahid Soltani Garrison stores and prepares various ballistic missiles.

Recent activity includes more than ten trailers carrying missile parts.

The Al-Ghadir Missile Command, a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force, is responsible for the camp. The report identified key commanders and highlighted past sanctions imposed on the Al-Ghadir Missile Command by the U.S. and EU.

Iran's ballistic missiles of likely and certain origin have previously targeted U.S. forces, resulting in injuries and infrastructure damage. Countering Iran's ballistic missile program will require a multifaceted approach, including economic and political measures, covert operations, and advanced missile defense systems.

Experts emphasize the importance of deterring Iranian weapons through deterrence strategies, base hardening, and maintaining credible elements of punishment. The ongoing efforts aim to disrupt Iran's ballistic missile program effectively.