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TEHRAN — As tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate and speculation of imminent military conflict grows, authorities in the Iranian capital are accelerating preparations to protect civilians, with a comprehensive survey identifying hundreds of potential shelters across the city.
Ali Nasiri, Head of the Tehran Crisis Management Organization, disclosed on Saturday, January 31, 2026, that the Passive Defense Committee of Tehran Municipality had completed a detailed assessment of existing underground facilities suitable for emergency use. Speaking to local media, Nasiri revealed that the survey identified approximately 518 old shelters located primarily in schools, but only about 20% of these structures remain restorable and capable of meeting modern safety standards.
Nasiri emphasized that the focus has shifted to more viable and accessible underground spaces. He confirmed that 82 metro stations throughout Tehran have now been officially designated as public shelters. These stations are being equipped with essential living facilities, including restrooms, water supplies, and emergency food reserves. Installation of clear shelter signage and informational labels at these locations is nearing completion, Nasiri said, to ensure residents can quickly locate and access them in a crisis.
In addition to the metro network, more than 300 other underground spaces — including large public parking lots, shopping complexes, and government buildings with basements — have been surveyed and earmarked for potential emergency use. Once final safety inspections, structural reinforcements, and necessary permits are secured, these facilities are expected to provide shelter capacity for approximately 2.5 million people.
Tehran’s resident population is generally estimated at 10 to 12 million, with the greater metropolitan area swelling to 15–16 million during daytime hours due to commuters and economic activity.
The urgency of these preparations stems from the memory of the June 2025 “12-day war” — the first direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel — during which thousands of Tehran residents sought refuge in metro stations and other underground locations as air raid sirens sounded and explosions were reported in the capital and surrounding provinces. Since that conflict, Iranian crisis management officials have prioritized upgrading metro stations, parking facilities, and other subterranean structures to serve as safe havens.
The current surge in activity follows recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced aboard Air Force One on January 22, 2026, that a “massive fleet” — described as an “armada” — is heading toward Iran “just in case” military action becomes necessary. Trump reiterated that the United States remains “locked and loaded” to respond if Iran crosses his stated red lines, including the killing of peaceful protesters or mass executions of detainees amid ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Iran.
Iranian officials have responded with strong warnings, vowing a “swift and comprehensive” retaliation to any attack on Iranian soil, sovereignty, or interests. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders have emphasized readiness for all scenarios, while state media has broadcast messages framing U.S. deployments as preparations for aggression.
The Tehran Crisis Management Organization’s shelter survey and enhancement efforts reflect a broader national push to bolster civil defense capabilities. Similar measures are reportedly underway in other major cities, including Tabriz, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad, though Tehran — as the political, economic, and population center — remains the primary focus.
Nasiri stressed that the preparations are precautionary and part of routine civil defense planning, but he acknowledged the current regional climate as “unprecedentedly tense.” He urged residents to familiarize themselves with the nearest designated shelters and follow official guidance from authorities in the event of any escalation.
International observers, including the United Nations and European diplomatic missions, have expressed concern over the risk of miscalculation leading to a wider conflict in the Middle East. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate remain stalled, with no high-level talks scheduled between Washington and Tehran as of late January 2026.
The designation and equipping of metro stations and other underground facilities as shelters echo measures taken during the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, when Tehran’s subway system and basements served as critical refuges during Iraqi air raids. Officials say the current upgrades aim to provide greater capacity, better ventilation, emergency lighting, communication systems, and medical supplies to support prolonged stays if necessary.
As preparations continue, Iranian authorities have urged calm while maintaining that the country stands ready to defend itself against any external aggression.
