How Iran's Underground Missile Cities Outsmarted the US

America wanted a fast, decisive war. Iran had spent decades preparing for a long one. Buried missile cities, a command network built to survive assassination, and a web of regional proxies allowed Tehran to absorb strikes and keep fighting long after Washington expected collapse. What emerged wasn't military defeat, but a war of attrition that revealed the fragility of American security guarantees in the region. For a regime engineered to endure, survival itself is the victory condition. Produced by Yasmin Butt. 0:00 Iran's long-term preparation 0:50 Underground military strategy 3:34 The role of regional proxies 4:44 Escalation and blockade tactics 6:23 Diplomatic and war objectives 8:01 Lessons of the conflict #geopolitics #iran #militarystrategy #middleeast #defence Read the best of our journalism: https://www.thetimes.com/ Subscribe to the Times Originals YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=timesoriginals Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timesandsundaytimes/ Find us on X: https://x.com/thetimes Find us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetimes?lang=en Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimes/