Iran still threat despite heavy US-Israel strikes
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Teheran
- Apr 04, 2026
- 588
Despite five weeks of sustained strikes by the United States and Israel, Iran’s military capabilities remain significantly degraded but far from annihilated. Intelligence assessments cited by CNN, based on multiple sources, indicate that nearly half of Iran’s missile launch infrastructure remains intact, alongside a substantial arsenal of suicide drones.
Several launch systems, while rendered inaccessible or concealed underground, have not been destroyed. According to one source, Iran retains the capacity to inflict considerable damage across the region. Its drone programme, too, remains largely operational, with approximately half of its unmanned aerial capabilities still functional.
Moreover, Iran continues to possess a notable stockpile of cruise missiles designed for coastal defence, posing a persistent threat to maritime traffic in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
These findings stand in stark contrast to assertions made by Donald Trump and his administration, which have repeatedly claimed that Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, along with its weapons production infrastructure, have been largely dismantled. The White House has dismissed the intelligence reports, alleging that anonymous sources are attempting to undermine the administration’s credibility.
Official statements maintain that Iran’s navy has been nearly obliterated, two-thirds of its defence production capacity neutralised, and that the U.S. and Israel currently enjoy clear air superiority. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has further claimed a 90% reduction in Iran’s missile and drone activity.
However, developments on the ground suggest a more complex reality. According to U.S. Central Command, over 12,300 targets have been struck, yet Iran’s operational capabilities persist. Israeli estimates suggest that only 20–25% of Iran’s missile launchers are currently active—figures that notably exclude systems concealed within underground networks.
Iran’s ռազմilitary doctrine heavily relies on fortified subterranean installations, including tunnels and caves, which shield critical assets from aerial detection and destruction. Additionally, the use of mobile launch platforms enhances survivability by enabling rapid relocation.
In response, U.S. and Israeli forces have increasingly focused on targeting access points to these facilities and the infrastructure supporting them. Nevertheless, as reported by The New York Times, U.S. intelligence agencies have yet to conclusively determine the full extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s missile capabilities.
Officials assess that Iran still retains sufficient ballistic missile and launch capacity to strike Israel and other regional targets. Securing the Strait of Hormuz remains a formidable challenge, given the persistence of Iran’s coastal missile systems, many of which are believed to be hidden underground.
While Iran’s conventional naval forces have sustained notable losses, the maritime arm of its Revolutionary Guard remains a potent force. Equipped with hundreds of fast-attack vessels and unmanned systems, it retains the capability to disrupt critical sea lanes.
In sum, although Iran’s military infrastructure has been substantially weakened, it remains operationally viable. Its residual capabilities—spanning missiles, drones, and an adaptive support network—ensure that it can continue to mount retaliatory and asymmetric responses.