Middle East

While US-led strikes have indeed targeted a significant portion of Iranian missile capability, the claim of complete destruction may not be entirely accurate. Iran still possesses large stockpiles of weapons, distributed launch systems, and a strategic adaptation approach, enabling its continued missile activity. Essentially, Iran’s ballistic missiles and drones that had been created pre-strike are still largely available and operable from hidden, diverse locations. Advanced surveillance and precisely-timed strikes are necessary to eliminate such threats, yet this continues to be a challenge for even the most seasoned militaries. Iran’s approach to rationing its remaining missile capacity prolongs its threat over an extended period. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the US-led strikes has been variable, and while claims of having “destroyed” Iran’s missile capabilities often cater to military objectives rather than ground realities. Overall, Iran’s ability to launch missiles persists, largely due to substantial pre-strike inventories, distributed launch infrastructures, strategic rationing of assets, and limits of airstrike campaigns to eradicate every hidden missile system.