Despite Trump's "Annihilated" Claim, Iran Estimated to Possess Up to 2,500 Missiles

U.S. Intelligence Agencies Assess Iran Has Rebuilt Its Missile Force

U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly estimate that Iran has up to 2,500 missiles. The assessment is that Iran has rebuilt a significant missile force, contrary to U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the Iranian military has been effectively annihilated.

U.S. President Donald Trump. Yonhap News Agency

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Nov. 14 (local time) that U.S. intelligence agencies estimate Iran’s missile stockpile at 1,500 to 2,500. This means Iran still has the capability to attack the United States or its allies in the Middle East if a full-scale war resumes.

The United States and Israel destroyed many of Iran’s missile production facilities after starting the war with Iran in February this year, but U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has rebuilt its capabilities using stockpiled components. The Israeli military also believes Iran has more than 1,500 missiles.

Simon Liddin, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East affairs in the first Trump Administration, said that even the low-end estimate of 1,500 missiles means Iran has recovered more than half of its prewar missile stockpile.

Some observers, however, say it is difficult to determine the exact size of the stockpile. Jim Lamson, a visiting researcher at King's College London who analyzed the Iranian military at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said Iran does not disclose its missile stockpile and relies on multiple manufacturers. He added that it is also unclear how many additional missiles Iran could produce using components stockpiled underground.

Iran's attack capabilities are also considered to be improving. With support from allies such as Russia, Iran has enhanced its intelligence-gathering and targeting capabilities and developed tactics for launching missiles and drones in combination.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that day that it had attacked a U.S. air-defense radar system at a helicopter base in Al Riffa, Bahrain, with six drones.

Iran's military capabilities are recovering faster than expected, adding to the pressure on The Trump Administration's policy toward Iran. President Trump has recently maintained economic pressure through a naval blockade and sanctions instead of large-scale airstrikes.

U.S. allies in the Gulf region oppose resuming the war, fearing Iranian missile and drone retaliation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, by contrast, is reportedly continuing to press President Trump to resume military operations against Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.