Metro stations and underground parking lots across Tehran are being converted into public "war shelters" as tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel rise, Tehran's Mayor Alireza Zakani announced on Thursday, according to Open Source Intelligence Monitor.
The announcement seems to reflect a growing concern among Iranian leadership regarding the possibility of widespread military confrontation and follows a report made last week by Iran International that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had moved to a fortified underground shelter in Tehran.
According to the Iranian opposition outlet, Masoud Khamenei, the ayatollah’s third son, has assumed management of the supreme leader’s day-to-day responsibilities and is serving as the primary channel of communication with the regime’s executive branches.
The Iranian assessment that a strike may take place comes after Trump said on Friday that US naval ships were en route to waters near the country.
Iran distributes 1,000 new drones across military branches
As well, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Thursday that the Iranian army has distributed 1,000 new drones to various military branches, in direct response to "security threats."
According to Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami, "maintaining and enhancing strategic advantages for rapid combat and a crushing response to any invasion and aggressor is always on the army's agenda."
The drones are designed for combat and reconnaissance in the sea, air, and on land, according to Tasnim.
The escalation follows a Wednesday Reuters report noting that Trump has sent a strongly worded message to Tehran, warning of an American strike should the regime refuse to sign a nuclear deal.
Meanwhile, Iran's economy has responded poorly to the rising tensions, as the rial reached a new low of 1.67 million rials to the US dollar, marking an approximately 16% drop since Sunday and reflecting market panic and a lack of public confidence in the situation's stability.
Sam Halpern contributed to this report.