Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has unveiled an underground missile facility it says was used to launch recent attacks against Israeli military targets, state news agency Mehr reported on January 10.

The video reveal marks a significant shift from July 2008 in the early days of the missile industry; facing growing criticism from hardliners in the country for the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, the group has pivoted in the show of force for domestic audiences.

IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami attended a ceremony showcasing the facility, which was described as an "underground missile city" housing advanced domestically developed missile systems.

The base houses strategic liquid-fuelled missiles, including Emad, Qadr, and Qiam systems, though officials said only about 10% of the facility was shown to the media.

The base was used to conduct operations codenamed "True Promise 1 and 2" against Israel, the IRGC said, referring to recent exchanges of strikes between the two countries.

"The enemy thought our production capacity had been interrupted, but our missile power growth rate is up to date," Salami said, adding that Iran's missile capabilities are increasing "in quantity, quality, skill and design."

"Soon, we will witness the inauguration of underground missile and drone complexes, and people will see unprecedented diversity and power in Iran's armed forces," Salami said, indicating plans to expand the network of such facilities.

The revelation comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, though both sides have shown restraint in recent weeks to prevent further escalation after trading military strikes.

Hajizadeh said the facility could be activated "like a dormant volcano" at very short notice, noting that its missiles had penetrated multiple layers of Israeli air defences in the recent strike that allegedly left Nevatim airbase still non-operational.

The group is a powerful branch of Iran's armed forces, established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the country's Islamic system from potential coups by the regular military initially. Separate from the regular army, it reports directly to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and controls significant military, intelligence, and economic assets.

The IRGC oversees Iran's missile programme and its nuclear sites and maintains substantial influence over regional policies through its elite Quds Force.