In the midst of simmering tensions in the Gulf, the Iranian army has provided some details – but not the specific location – of an underground installation for its military drones, according to state media.

State television reported that 100 drones, including the Ababil-5, were stationed in the heart of the Zagros mountains and were equipped with Qaem-9 missiles, an Iranian-made variant of the US Hellfire air-to-surface missile.

“The drones of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces are without a doubt the most powerful in the region,” stated army commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi. He went on to say, “Our ability to upgrade drones is unstoppable.”

The Iranian state television correspondent said he flew 45 minutes from Kermanshah in western Iran to a secret subterranean drone station on Thursday. He was permitted to do so.

Rows of drones armed with missiles were seen in a tunnel several hundred metres down, according to TV footage.

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The TV story came a day after Iranian Revolutionary Guards detained two Greek tankers in the Gulf, ostensibly in revenge for the United States seizing Iranian oil from a tanker off the coast of Greece.

Due to European Union restrictions, Greek officials impounded the Iranian-flagged Pegas, which had 19 Russian crew members on board, last month. The Iranian oil cargo onboard was later intercepted by the US, which planned to transport it to the US on another vessel.

The Pegas was eventually released, but the seizure heightened tensions at a critical time, when Iran and foreign countries are attempting to rekindle a diplomatic relationship.