Iran's missile launch site uncovered, puzzles experts

The American analytical organization, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, closely examined footage showing the launch site of Iranian missiles fired toward Israel. However, they managed to pinpoint the exact location, but the acquired data doesn't actually reveal much.

In the massive strike on Israel conducted in the first days of October 2024, Iran used nearly 200 missiles, all launched in less than 30 minutes. Shortly after the attack began, social media was flooded with footage showing a volley of missiles leaving Iranian launchers and heading toward Israel. One video was even taken from the deck of a passenger airplane.

Analysts from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies examined the footage more closely. According to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express, they examined the precise coordinates of the location where Iran launched the missiles, utilizing publicly available footage and satellite images.

The experts' findings indicate that the area is located south of the city of Shiraz, in a gorge next to which an abruptly ending asphalt road runs. Only through detailed analysis of satellite images from Google Earth did experts notice entrances to underground tunnels in the rocks by the road. Calculations show that the distance from the shelter exits to the missile launch site is about 1 mile.

According to the report, Iran's underground complex was developed in 2017. The project likely aimed at creating a wide network of shelters where launchers could move easily. Additionally, there are missile storage areas and spaces for personnel responsible for the artillery barrage within the tunnels.

However, analysts are puzzled as they cannot determine exactly where the tunnels run several yards deep. Therefore, destroying such tunnels is a challenging task, though experts believe there are ballistic missiles capable of threatening similar structures. Analysts specifically point to the South Korean Hyunmoo 5 missile with a warhead weighing up to 18,000 lbs. Defense Express also notes it is widely believed that missile factories may even be located within these underground tunnels.

The Hyunmoo 5 missile, which could potentially be used to destroy Iran's underground tunnels, is designed to strike targets at significant distances, boasting a range of up to 1,900 miles. The Hyunmoo 5's warhead weighs about 18,000 pounds, making it the heaviest conventional ballistic missile currently in existence. It can accelerate to a speed of Mach 10, equivalent to 6,836 mph. Experts suggest its use might lead to induced earthquakes.