This airbase of Iran is equipped with many facilities. This airbase is capable of operating all types of fighter aircraft and unmanned aircraft of the Air Force.
America And Israel conducted its largest joint military exercise in history to put more pressure on the Iranian regime. A few days after this exercise, Iran built its first underground ‘deep in the earth’air Base is unveiled. State TV IRNA reported that the unveiling ceremony of the airbase named ‘Okab 44’ or ‘Eagle 44’ was presided over by Iran’s army chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Major General Abrolrahim Mousavi and many other senior officers were present on this occasion.
A video shared by IRNA shows a gate of the airbase being opened, which looks like a huge tunnel, and a fighter jet parked inside it. The jet then moves into another tube, preparing for departure. At the mouth of the tunnel, a group of men in military fatigues can be seen. It is equipped with jet missiles. The video also claims to show a mid-air jet refueling operation.
Iran said the airbase is “capable of operating various types of fighter jets and bombers as well as unmanned aerial vehicles of the Air Force.” According to IRNA, The airbase will enable the country to “facilitate surprise air operations from an unexpected place at an unexpected time.”
The airbase “is equipped with various facilities, such as alert and command posts, hangars, fixing and maintenance sites, navigation and airport facilities and fuel tanks, etc. This airbase can prepare fighter jets of the Air Force for various operations.
Iran’s chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, told IRNA that “in the event of an attack, our enemies, including Israel, will receive a befitting reply from our many bases, including Eagle 44.” He also indicated that several underground airbases may exist in the country.
This is not the first time that Iran has unveiled an underground military base. Last year, Iran’s military revealed that it was operating an underground base for drones in the Zagros mountain range. In 2015, the country unveiled an underground missile base. These bases have not been disclosed by Iran, but they are believed to be located in the country’s mountainous regions.
Why is this so important?
The performance of this ‘underground airbase’ is similar to the incident of 2015, when Iran opened a front against its arch-enemy Israel by unveiling a secret underground missile base.
This airbase will provide Iran with additional capability to counter any attack from Israel. Israel has carried out several attacks to thwart Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
Last week, a key Iranian defense base in the city of Isfahan was targeted in a drone attack. This attack was linked to Israel. As per reports, this drone targeted a weapons production facility for the Shaheed-136 drone. Shaheed-136 is being used by Russia on Ukraine.
twist in the story
Iran has demonstrated this feat at a time when the US and Israel carried out the Juniper Oak military exercise last month. The exercise was the largest-ever operation in the fields of sea, air, land, space and cyberspace involving 6,400 US and 1,500 Israeli troops, 100 US and 42 Israeli warplanes and twelve warships.
Benjamin Netanyahu had carried out several military operations in Iran in his previous government. The existing airbase would justify their alliance to adopt a hardline policy towards Iran.
This underground airbase is a strategic threat to Israel. Iran is already under pressure from the West to help Russia with military equipment in the Ukraine war. Netanyahu will take advantage of this opportunity and intensify his campaign against Iran.
: Language Inputs
