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3. Iran Retains Significant Missile Capabilities Despite Strikes: Report

According to a CNN report, despite more than five weeks of daily US and Israeli strikes, roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact and thousands of one-way attack drones are still operational, highlighting Tehran’s continuing ability to threaten the region.

Recent intelligence assessments indicate that about half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact, while thousands of one-way attack drones, roughly half of its drone arsenal, are still available. Some launch systems may be temporarily unusable but not fully destroyed, including those buried underground.

Officials also report that a substantial portion of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles has survived the campaign. These weapons are critical to Tehran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. The findings suggest that, despite ongoing strikes, Iran retains the capacity to project force and disrupt regional stability.

Responding to inquiries about the report, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly dismissed the claims, arguing that unnamed sources were seeking to undermine Donald Trump and downplay what she described as the success of the U.S. military’s “Operation Epic Fury.”

Kelly asserted that Iranian offensive capabilities have been significantly reduced, stating that ballistic missile and drone attacks have dropped by around 90%. She also claimed that Iran’s naval forces have been effectively neutralized, while a large portion of its military production infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. According to her, the United States and Israel now maintain clear air superiority over Iran.

She further argued that Iran’s military position is rapidly deteriorating and warned that Tehran faces a stark choice: negotiate with Washington and abandon its nuclear program or risk facing even more severe military action. A senior administration official also said Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile is being depleted at a rapid pace.

According to The Times of Israel, Israel’s military assessment suggests that around 200 Iranian missile launchers have been destroyed in recent strikes, while an additional 80 launchers considered non‑operational after the Israel Air Force targeted tunnel entrances to underground storage facilities where they were kept.

On March 31, the Israel Defense Forces also announced that the Israeli Air Force is actively targeting all critical assets of Iran’s military production industries, underscoring efforts to further degrade Tehran’s ability to produce and deploy weaponry.