Iran Claims 75% of Missile and Drone Capabilities Intact Despite US-Israeli Strikes
A senior Iranian military official asserted on Wednesday that over 75% of Iran's missile and drone capabilities remain intact and operational despite recent US and Israeli attacks. Brigadier General Ali Reza Sheikh, deputy commander for operational affairs in the Iranian army, told the state news agency IRNA that the Iranian drone fleet has become a "nightmare for the enemy." This statement sharply contradicts US President Donald Trump's assessment last month, which estimated that Iran retains only about 21% to 22% of its missile inventory.
Trump, in a July interview with NBC News, claimed that the US knows the locations of Iran's drones and missile production facilities, most of which have been destroyed. He acknowledged that Iran still possesses some missiles and drones but suggested their stockpile has been significantly reduced. The discrepancy between Tehran's and Washington's accounts highlights the uncertainty surrounding the actual damage inflicted on Iran's military capabilities.
While Iran emphasizes its resilience and readiness to continue missile and drone operations, US and Israeli strikes appear to have reduced the frequency of Iranian missile launches in recent weeks, indicating some impact on Iran's operational capacity. However, no independent verification currently clarifies which side's claims are more accurate.
Additionally, Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a senior adviser to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, suggested Iran might prolong the conflict until the end of Trump's presidency to create deterrence through attrition. He stated the goal is to demonstrate to any future aggressors that attacking Iran would come at a high cost. Naqdi also criticized the US for lacking a clear strategy and declared Iran's victory over American objectives to overthrow its leadership.
Meanwhile, Trump has maintained a hardline stance, asserting US control over the Strait of Hormuz and describing the US naval blockade as an "iron wall" that Iran cannot overcome. He painted a bleak picture of Iran's military and economic condition, citing high inflation and internal instability. Trump concluded his remarks by dismissing Iran as a "country of talk without action" and no longer the "bully of the Middle East."
