Fresh US intelligence suggests Iran’s military strength remains far from dismantled, even after weeks of heavy strikes by the United States and Israel, according to a report by CNN citing officials familiar with the findings.
The assessment indicates that a large share of Iran’s missile systems and drones are still operational, raising questions over claims made by US President Donald Trump that Tehran’s strike capability had been wiped out.
What US intelligence says about Iran’s remaining capabilities
Officials cited in the report say nearly half of Iran’s missile launchers are still intact. Thousands of one-way attack drones also remain available, even after more than a month of sustained bombardment.
“They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” a source told CNN.
The intelligence also points to Iran retaining a sizeable number of missiles, including coastal defence cruise systems. These weapons are crucial for exerting control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
While many Iranian naval assets have been damaged or destroyed, the naval wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues to operate with “hundreds, if not thousands, of small boats and unmanned surface vessels left”.
Experts say Iran’s long-standing use of underground tunnels and hidden launch sites has helped it protect critical equipment from strikes, making it harder to eliminate fully.
Gap between official claims and ground reality
The findings offer a more cautious picture than the one presented publicly by Washington. In a recent address, Trump said US operations had dealt a decisive blow, claiming Iran’s navy had been wiped out and its air force left in ruins.
He also argued that Tehran’s ability to launch missiles and drones had been sharply reduced, adding that military operations could be wrapped up within weeks.
However, sources familiar with the intelligence described that timeline as unrealistic, noting that Iran continues to launch missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, Gulf allies, and US forces in the region.
The US Central Command on Thursday said that over 12,300 targets inside Iran have been hit so far, but officials acknowledge that Tehran still retains a substantial stock of missile systems.