Airstrikes Target Iran's Underground Air Force Base

In late March 2026, airstrikes targeted Iran's "Eagle 44" underground air force base, situated in a remote mountainous region of Hormozgan Province, approximately 100 miles north of the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. Satellite imagery reviewed by The New York Times revealed significant damage to the facility, including impact craters at tunnel entrances and destruction of a building associated with ongoing construction at the site. The strikes appear to have compromised access to the runway, effectively trapping aircraft inside the base.

New York Times

Construction of the Eagle 44 base began in mid-2013, with an airstrip added eight years later. The base has been a focal point for Iranian military capabilities, with state media showcasing fighter jets and drones stationed there in 2023. The strategic location of the base underscores its importance in Iran's defense infrastructure, particularly given its proximity to vital maritime routes.

New York Times

The satellite images indicate that the airstrikes inflicted substantial damage, with several tunnel entrances previously targeted earlier in the conflict. Additionally, Iranian forces have reportedly erected earth mounds on the runway to deter enemy aircraft from landing. The absence of on-the-ground reports or eyewitness accounts highlights the reliance on satellite imagery for assessing the extent of the damage, as no civilian footage of the strikes has surfaced.

New York Times

Neither the U.S. nor Israeli militaries provided comments regarding the airstrikes when approached by The New York Times. The lack of official statements leaves the motivations and implications of the strikes open to interpretation.

New York Times

Critics of the airstrikes argue that such military actions escalate tensions in an already volatile region. They contend that targeting military installations could provoke retaliatory measures from Iran, potentially destabilizing the broader Middle East. The absence of direct responses from the involved militaries raises questions about the strategic objectives behind the strikes.

New York Times

While satellite imagery confirms damage to the Eagle 44 base, there is a lack of comprehensive information regarding the operational status of the aircraft and the extent of the casualties, if any, resulting from the strikes. The absence of detailed reports from Iranian state media or military sources further complicates the narrative surrounding this incident.

New York Times

The aftermath of the airstrikes may lead to heightened military readiness among Iranian forces and potential retaliatory actions. Observers will be closely monitoring developments in the region, particularly any shifts in Iranian military strategy or responses to perceived threats from the U.S. and Israel.

New York Times

• “The imagery, reviewed by The New York Times, shows impact craters at and near the tunnel entrances to aircraft shelters, which are concealed under a mountain ridge; the damage from the strikes appears to have disabled access to the runway, trapping any aircraft inside.” — The New York Times

New York Times

• “Construction for the underground site, located in the southern Hormozgan Province, about 100 miles north of the Strait of Hormuz, started in mid-2013, and building of an airstrip followed eight years later.” — The New York Times

New York Times