29.01.2026 15:01
After 32 days of ongoing protests that have plunged Iran into serious chaos, the country has taken action following threats from the United States. The Mayor of Tehran announced that bomb shelters will be established in parking lots and metro stations. While this statement from the mayor has caused panic among the public, it is also supported by claims that Iranian leader Khamenei has already moved to fortified underground shelters.
The mayor of Tehran, Iran, Alireza Zakani, announced that they have taken an important step to strengthen the city's civil defense preparations against increasing regional tensions and the risk of possible conflict. Zakani announced that underground parking lots and metro stations will be transformed into "war shelters." This plan aims to protect the public in the event of a possible attack or crisis.
TENSION IS INCREASING
Officials stated that the current geopolitical environment is filled with uncertainties and that tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel are rising, announcing that underground infrastructures will be urgently prepared to serve as shelters. According to the mayor's statements, these shelters will be created by making arrangements in existing underground parking areas and metro systems. This announcement has caused great panic among the public, leading to questions like "Is war starting?"
SUPPORTING THE CLAIM THAT KHAMENEI IS IN A SHELTER
Zakani's statement is supported by claims that high-ranking officials of the Iranian government have already moved to fortified underground shelters; this indicates that there is a sense of preparedness against possible military attacks within government circles.
This move also reflects previous experiences related to the use of metro stations and public buildings as temporary shelters during security concerns in Tehran and other Iranian cities in 2025. At that time, the government opened metro systems, schools, and mosques as shelters, but the lack of a ready and comprehensive civil shelter infrastructure led to criticism.
LACK OF SHELTERS POSES A SERIOUS RISK
Experts indicate that the lack of shelter infrastructure in large cities poses a serious risk in the face of the possibility of war or airstrikes. It is emphasized that while it is mechanically possible to evaluate underground metro lines and extensive parking systems as shelters in populous capitals like Tehran, this needs to be supported by technical, logistical, and housing infrastructure.