U.S. Assessment: Iran Still Retains About 70% of Pre-War Missile Stockpile
On April 18, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that according to assessments from the U.S. military and intelligence agencies cited by The New York Times, Iran still retains about 70% of its pre-war missile stockpile, approximately 60% of its missile launchers, and about 40% of its arsenal of attack drones, "sufficient to potentially control shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in the future."
The report stated that Iran is continuing to clear missile stockpiles buried during U.S. and Israeli strikes. Some U.S. assessments indicate that once this work is completed, Iran's missile stockpile could be restored to about 70% of its pre-war size.
Additionally, on April 8, when Iran and the U.S. announced a two-week ceasefire, the number of available missile launchers in Iran was about half of the pre-war level. In the following days, Iran unearthed approximately 100 launchers from underground bunkers, restoring its stockpile of launchers to about 60% of the pre-war level.
The report noted that while opinions on Iran's missile reserves vary, U.S. officials unanimously believe that Iran possesses "sufficient military capabilities to potentially control shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz in the future."
Iran maintains approximately 70% of its pre-war missile stockpile and 60% of its missile launchers, with 40% of its attack drones available. The Iranian Armed Forces continue to recover buried missile stockpiles, restoring their missile launcher inventory to about 60% of pre-war levels. U.S. officials assess that Iran possesses enough military capability to potentially control shipping activities in the Hormuz Strait.
- Iran retains about 70% of its pre-war missile stockpile.
- Iran has approximately 60% of its missile launchers available.
- Iran's attack drone arsenal is at about 40% of pre-war levels.
- Iran has excavated around 100 missile launchers from underground facilities.
- U.S. officials believe Iran has sufficient weaponry to control shipping in the Hormuz Strait.