After images were released by the Israeli army showing underground tunnels linked to Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader of Iran’s regime, rumors that had circulated for years about the existence of such a shelter once again drew attention. The images show a network of tunnels stretching several kilometers and passing beneath various areas, including medical centers, schools, and residential buildings.
On March 6, shortly after heavy strikes on central areas near the Pasteur government complex in Tehran—where key offices of the Iranian regime, including the presidential office, are located—the Israeli army released a video of this underground shelter. In the video, a structure resembling an underground city can be seen; a shelter that is reportedly intended to remain in use by remaining regime officials even after Khamenei’s death.
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Analysis of the released images using online tools suggests the length of these tunnels is about five kilometers. According to Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, and members of the Tehran City Council, the cost of constructing each kilometer of metro tunnel in Tehran at current prices is estimated on average between 50 to 60 thousand billion rials (about 31 to 36 million dollars). However, this amount only covers basic construction work and does not include interior finishing, equipment, internal landscaping, or underground facilities.
Based on these figures, the cost of excavating five kilometers of underground tunnels is estimated at roughly 250 to 300 thousand billion rials (approximately 150 to 188 million dollars). Given the classified nature of the project and its security requirements, the real cost may have been several times higher than that of building a normal tunnel.
Under normal conditions, tunneling contractors in Tehran are able to excavate about 10 meters of tunnel per day. Therefore, constructing such a complex would require at least about 500 days, which is roughly equivalent to 17 months. Considering the project’s level of secrecy and additional equipment requirements, the actual construction time was likely longer.
Estimates indicate that the central facilities of this tunnel network are located at a depth of 40 to 50 meters, and this section lies directly beneath the Shahid Shorideh Medical Center.
The central core; beneath a medical center
In the released video, the central section of this shelter complex appears southwest of the presidential building. The location lies directly beneath the “Shahid Shurideh” Medical Center, a facility affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad of the Iranian regime that began operating in 1985. In practice, this medical center is considered part of the Pasteur government complex.
From the northwest, this section connects to another entrance of the complex at the end of Rajabi Street, a point located about 200 meters from Shahid Shurideh Hospital.
One of the entrances is also located beneath a building opposite the Karimeh Ahl al-Bayt Clinic, near Hor Square in central Tehran.
The easternmost entrance; beside a girls’ elementary school
The easternmost entrance of this tunnel network is located in the Sheikh Hadi neighborhood on Valiasr Street beneath the Jami multi-story parking structure. This parking facility is built next to the Hejrat Girls’ Elementary School, and about 100 meters away is the Saheb-al-Zaman Boys’ Elementary School.
At the northernmost point of the network is the 12 Farvardin multi-story parking structure, located on Jomhouri Street at the corner of 12 Farvardin Street and Danesh Street.
An entrance beneath a mosque beside a school
Another entrance to these tunnels is located west of Pasteur Square, between the Hor Metro Station and Pasteur Square. This entrance is situated beneath a mosque called Tawhid Mosque. Next to the mosque there is a building, and behind it stands the Kadkhodaei Boys’ Elementary School.
About 200 meters from this location, another entrance lies on the southwest side of Pasteur Square along Daneshgah-e-Jang Street. Nearby are the Karimeh Ahl al-Bayt dental clinic and the Karimeh Ahl al-Bayt medical clinic across from it. The “2 Farvardin” pharmacy belonging to the Iranian regime’s army is also located close to this point.
Entrance beside a football school
The westernmost entrance of this tunnel network is located beneath a small building next to the office responsible for issuing hunting firearm permits. On the eastern side of this building, a football training school has been constructed directly adjacent to it, and the surrounding area contains densely packed residential complexes.
This area is located near the intersection of Sepah and Kamali streets, on Kashan Street at the end of Fourth Street. These tunnels are also located close to the Yas and Namjoo residential complexes, which are affiliated with the Iranian regime’s army.
