DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran opened an underground naval missile base at an undisclosed location in the Gulf on Saturday, state TV said, two days before the start of Donald Trump’s second term as president.

It was revealed at a time when tensions in Washington were widely expected to rise. Iran’s leaders are concerned that Trump could give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the power to strike Iran’s nuclear sites, while tightening US sanctions on the oil industry through his “maximum pressure” policy.

State television showed Revolutionary Guards chief General Hossein Salami visiting the secret base during the war games. He said it was one of many built underground for ships capable of launching long-range missiles and conducting long-range warfare.

“We assure the great nation of Iran that their youth will be able to emerge honorably and victoriously from a war at sea against enemies big and small,” Salami said.

State television said the base was built at a depth of 500 meters (yards) somewhere in the Gulf and it showed tunnels with long rows of what it said was a new version of Taregh- class radar-evading speedboats that can launch cruise missiles.

Earlier this month, Iran began military exercises that had been due for the past two months and included war games in which the Revolutionary Guards defended the Natanz nuclear facilities against mock attacks. -missile and drone attacks.

Iran, which says its ballistic missiles are an important deterrent and retaliatory force against the US and Israel, has previously revealed several underground “missile cities”.