Washington, DC – In a journalistic revelation that overturns the official White House narrative, The New York Times published newly released classified US intelligence assessments. These assessments confirm that the Islamic Republic of Iran still possesses formidable missile and military capabilities, directly contradicting President Donald Trump and his Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who have declared their intention to “destroy” Iran’s military power entirely.
Restoring operational capability and bridging the narrative gap
Leaked information indicates that the Iranian military not only survived but also managed to restore a significant portion of its operational capabilities in record time.
Estimates suggest that Tehran has regained access to vital underground facilities and strategic missile sites. This reshapes the image of Iranian military power in the post-war era in a way that is causing concern among security circles in Washington.
Secret assessments reveal a shocking reality on the ground: Iran now has operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites deployed along the Strait of Hormuz.
This vital waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, is once again at the mercy of Iranian missiles, which can effectively target US warships and oil tankers. However, only three sites remain inaccessible.
“Underground” arsenal and mobile platforms
According to informed sources and satellite imagery, Iran has managed to restore approximately 90% of its underground missile storage and launch facilities, which are now partially or fully operational.
The danger lies in the Iranians’ ability to use mobile launch platforms to transport missiles between these sites or launch them directly from the fortified facilities. This makes them extremely difficult to detect and destroy.
Leaked figures confirm that Iran still retains approximately 70% of its mobile launchers and roughly 70% of its missile arsenal from before the outbreak of hostilities. This includes long-range ballistic missiles and precision cruise missiles. These data indicate that the decline in Iran’s capabilities is far less significant than publicly acknowledged, and that Tehran still possesses the capacity for military initiative despite the heavy blows it has suffered.
Political contradiction and the depletion of American ammunition
These findings put the Trump administration in an awkward position, as the president and his defense secretary had previously asserted that the Iranian military had been “crushed” and no longer posed a threat. Despite the White House dismissing those who questioned the Iranian military’s decline as “delusional or mouthpieces for the Revolutionary Guard,” the gap between classified intelligence assessments and political pronouncements is widening considerably. This is especially true given that these assessments date back less than a month to the Pentagon’s declaration of the end of major combat operations.
On the other hand, the crisis of American “stockpiling depletion” stands out as an additional source of pressure. According to previous reports, the United States consumed enormous quantities of advanced munitions during the war. These consumptions included 1,100 long-range cruise missiles, more than 1,000 Tomahawk missiles, and over 1,300 Patriot interceptor missiles.
This consumption is equivalent to several years’ worth of production, and while companies like Lockheed Martin are working to increase Patriot missile production from 650 to 2,000 annually, rebuilding strategic stockpiles will take years. This limits Washington’s ability to engage in a prolonged confrontation should tensions flare again in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Pentagon’s position and General Keane’s testimony
In an attempt to allay concerns, General Dan Keane, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before Congress on Tuesday, saying, “We have sufficient munitions for what we have been tasked with now.”
Similarly, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell affirmed that the U.S. military possesses a substantial arsenal to protect its interests, emphasizing the success of past operations.
However, the continued presence of more than 20 US warships in the region, according to Central Command data, reflects a state of high alert and a tacit acknowledgment that the Iranian threat has not dissipated as claimed.
Intelligence assessments conclude that Iran, despite its setbacks, remains a significant player in the regional military equation. This raises renewed questions about the accuracy of the political calculations that prematurely declared a “complete victory.”
