Speaking to a state television reporter during the visit, Hatami said Iran was expanding its production centres through infrastructure development and scientific work.
The broadcast came amid heightened regional tensions following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. The decision to showcase an underground facility signals Iran’s efforts to safeguard its drone programme against potential airstrikes and maintain production despite military pressure.
Before the war, Iran had the largest ballistic missile stockpile in the Middle East. Its arsenal included cluster munitions, which are difficult for air defence systems to intercept, according to information cited by the US government. Iran also had a well-developed drone industry before the conflict.
Before the war, Iran was capable of manufacturing around 10,000 drones every month. The Shahed drone was among its prominent systems and is known for its use in explosive attacks. The unveiling of the underground facility suggests a focus on production centres located in protected sites rather than relying exclusively on conventional above-ground facilities.
The war began in February when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. The Trump administration’s stated objectives include weakening Iran’s military capabilities, destroying its navy, eliminating its missile and drone capabilities, and ensuring that Iran never possesses nuclear weapons.
The United States, Israel and their Western allies have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, allegations Tehran has consistently denied.
Against this backdrop, the footage of the underground drone facility appears to serve as a message of defiance from Iran. It indicates that the country is continuing to showcase its production capabilities despite the attacks, while seeking to demonstrate that its military infrastructure has not been entirely neutralised.
The facility’s public display also carries psychological and diplomatic significance. Domestically, it could reassure the Iranian public that the country’s defence capabilities remain protected. For adversarial nations, it sends a message that military strikes may not be sufficient to halt production completely.
Drones have become relatively inexpensive and effective weapons in modern warfare. Their use in the Ukraine conflict and other regions has demonstrated the challenges they can pose even to major military powers.
If Iran can sustain production through underground facilities, the regional security equation could become more complex. Concerns over escalating tensions in the straits and the Gulf region are likely to remain. The broadcast ultimately highlights the continuing confrontation between Iran’s efforts to preserve its military capabilities and the US-Israeli strategy of weakening them.
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