A new Reuters report has revealed new details after a full month of US and Israeli strikes. It says America has destroyed only about one-third of Iran’s missile and drone arsenal.
According to US intelligence sources who spoke to Reuters, another third of the missiles are likely damaged or hidden. They are stored deep inside underground tunnels and bunkers. The same goes for Iran’s drone stockpile. This means Tehran still holds a large number of weapons. Many of them remain usable.
The assessment directly contradicts statements made by President Donald Trump on Thursday. He claimed Iran had “very few rockets left.” He also said its ballistic missile capabilities had been largely wiped out.
Iran Keeps Hitting Back
Despite the heavy bombing campaign, Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones. The targets include Israel and key locations in the Gulf. These attacks have caused major damage to energy infrastructure. They have also disrupted global shipping and oil prices.
The main goal of the US and Israeli campaign was to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Tehran sees this programme as its most important deterrent. Israel claims it has already neutralised 70% of Iran’s missile launchers. However, the actual number of missiles left is much harder to confirm. This is because most are stored underground.
A senior US official admitted it may be impossible to know the exact size of Iran’s remaining stockpile. “I don’t know if we’ll ever have an accurate number,” the official said.
The Pentagon is still pushing ahead with its campaign. It has sent thousands more troops to the region. President Trump is reportedly considering ground operations. The aim would be to seize Kharg Island and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iran fired 15 missiles and 11 drones at the UAE on Thursday alone.
