Iran’s Eagle 44: Underground Airbase Threatens Israel
Iran Unveils Underground Air Base, Sends Warning to Israel
TEHRAN – In a move designed to showcase its military might, Iran revealed its first underground air base, dubbed “Eagle 44,” in 2023. The facility, touted as a “nightmare” for Iran’s enemies, particularly Israel, is said to house fighter jets armed with long-range cruise missiles.
Images released by Iran’s state-run news agency, IRNA, depict Iranian Air Force personnel adn American-made F-4E Phantom II fighter jets, acquired before the 1979 revolution, stationed within the base.
“The Oghab 44 base can accommodate all types of fighter jets and bombers,and also unmanned aerial vehicles,” IRNA reported.
While the exact location remains undisclosed, Iranian media indicate the base is situated hundreds of meters underground within a mountainous region.
The emphasis on the jets being equipped with long-range cruise missiles suggests Iran’s intention to utilize its aging fleet for striking targets at a distance in the event of an attack, according to a report by Forbes.
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed forces, issued a stark warning: ”Any attack against Iran from our enemies, including Israel, will be met with a response from many of our air bases, including Eagle 44.”
The unveiling of Eagle 44 in 2023 coincided with joint military exercises conducted by the United States and Israel less than two weeks prior,leading some analysts,such as those at Al-Jazeera,to interpret the move as a direct response and a demonstration of Iran’s air power capabilities.
Iran’s Underground Air Base: A Message to Israel?
NewsDirect3.com – Tensions in the Middle East have escalated once again after Iran unveiled its first underground air base, “Eagle 44,” in a move analysts believe is a direct message to Israel.
The base, showcased by state-run media outlet IRNA, is reported to house a variety of fighter jets, including American-made F-4E Phantom IIs, armed with long-range cruise missiles. Iranian officials claim the base, located hundreds of meters underground within a mountainous region, can accommodate all types of fighter jets, bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Major general Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, issued a stern warning: “Any attack against Iran from our enemies, including Israel, will be met with a response from many of our air bases, including Eagle 44.”
The unveiling of Eagle 44 comes just weeks after joint military exercises were conducted by the United states and Israel,leading experts like those at Al-Jazeera to interpret the move as a calculated response intended to demonstrate Iran’s air power capabilities.
The exact location of Eagle 44 remains undisclosed, though the images released by IRNA have sparked international debate about the implications of this new growth in the already volatile region.