Iran Can Still Produce 50 Ballistic Missiles Monthly, Intelligence Estimates Show
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Iran is estimated to be capable of producing around 50 ballistic missiles monthly, half its pre-war capacity, despite recent strikes, according to intelligence reported by Bloomberg. Tehran also unveiled a new underground "missile city" and its military chief warned of responses beyond the Middle East if attacked. This contradicts claims by Israeli and U.S. leaders about Iran's diminished missile production capabilities.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Iran's ballistic missile production capacity is estimated at 50 missiles per month, half of its pre-war rate.
- Tehran unveiled a new underground "missile city" displaying ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and launchers.
- A Western official estimates Iran still possesses at least 1,700 ballistic missiles.
- Iran's chief of staff warned that retaliation for future attacks would extend beyond the Middle East.
- The intelligence estimate contrasts with claims by Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump about Iran's production capabilities.
- Iran may also possess several thousand Shahed-type attack drones, according to a former CIA analyst.
Iran may still be capable of producing approximately 50 ballistic missiles per month, despite damage to its industrial facilities from U.S. and Israeli strikes, according to intelligence reported by Bloomberg on Wednesday, November 11. This estimated production rate is about half of Iran's pre-war capacity. A Western official, citing military intelligence assessments, believes Tehran still possesses at least 1,700 ballistic missiles. Jim Lamson, a researcher at King's College London and former CIA analyst, told Bloomberg that Iran's arsenal could also include several thousand Shahed-type attack drones. The figure of 50 missiles per month represents an estimated capacity, not an actual production count.
This assessment comes a day after Iran's Revolutionary Guards unveiled an underground complex described as a new "missile city." Images released by Iranian media showed ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and launchers, though the facility's recent construction has not been independently confirmed. During the unveiling, Iranian armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi warned that Iran's response to any further attack would extend beyond the Middle East, without specifying potential targets.
The Bloomberg estimate contrasts with statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March, who claimed Iran no longer had the capacity to produce ballistic missiles. On November 9, President Donald Trump stated that nearly 85% of Iran's production capabilities had been destroyed and asserted that U.S. forces remained ready to intervene if necessary.