U.S. Intelligence Says Iran Still Holds 1,500 to 2,500 Missiles
Iran still has 1,500 to 2,500 ballistic missiles and is rebuilding from stockpiled parts, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal, in a low-confidence intelligence estimate.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.
The assessment, cited by U.S. officials to The Wall Street Journal, undercuts claims by President Donald Trump that Tehran’s military has been destroyed. Officials said the remaining force could still strike American and allied targets if fighting resumes.
Officials Cite Low Confidence
U.S. intelligence agencies have low confidence in the figures because it is hard to distinguish missiles ready to launch from those in storage. Even so, they said Iran retains a formidable arsenal.
Israeli military officials estimate that Iran has more than 1,500 ballistic missiles.
Simone Ledeen, a former Pentagon official, said even 1,500 missiles would mean Iran had rebuilt more than half of its prewar arsenal.
Jim Lamson, a former CIA analyst, said secrecy and underground component stocks make a precise count hard.
“Having done this work for the government, I know it can be extremely low confidence even with all the classified information,” he said.
Iran Rebuilds From Stored Parts
U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iran’s missile plants, but Tehran has kept rebuilding at a slower pace, mainly from stockpiled parts. Iran also retains large numbers of drones and short-range missiles.
A Western estimate cited by Bloomberg, and reported by Clash Report, put monthly output at about 50 ballistic missiles, roughly half the prewar rate, with at least 1,700 still on hand.
In April, the Journal reported that thousands of missiles could be recovered from underground sites, including at IRGC underground facilities, after Iran excavated blocked entrances. An Israeli official said those weapons likely survived and that Iran is “rebuilding and rearming.”
An earlier U.S. assessment reported by Clash Report found Washington could confirm the destruction of only about one-third of Iran’s missile arsenal.
The Journal also reported that Iran has improved its attacks with assistance from partners such as Russia.
Rebuild Shapes New Strike Debate
The rebuilding effort is influencing talks on whether to launch another offensive against Iran alongside Israel, officials told the Journal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to press for renewed strikes, and Mossad chief Roman Gofman traveled to Washington on Friday. Gulf allies have told Washington they do not want to return to war.
Netanyahu has claimed the missile program was crippled and that its remaining stockpile was “running out.”
On Veterans Day, Trump said, “We want to make sure we have a total victory, not a 93 percent victory. It’s going to be total.” He told Hugh Hewitt on Thursday he would consider it a “defeat” if Iran’s regime remained in power when he leaves office.
Israeli and U.S. officials said Iranian attacks on American facilities prompted Washington to move military assets to Israel. Washington has so far relied on sanctions and a naval blockade rather than another offensive.
Kamer Kurunç
Kamer Kurunç is the Team Leader of Clash Report and has led the outlet for four years. He oversees its breaking world news coverage, from the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war to defense and global politics. His focus is fast, verified, source-based reporting. Follow him on X at @kamerknc.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.
