A Pentagon intelligence report has challenged US claims on Iran’s military losses, even as Washington extends the ceasefire and maintains pressure through a continued maritime blockade.
Senior Iranian military officials inspect helicopters as the IRGC tightens its grip over defence and diplomatic decision-making | Reuters via ANI
A fresh intelligence assessment from the Pentagon has raised questions over the US administration’s claims about weakening Iran’s military, even as President Donald Trump announced a last-minute extension of the ceasefire with Tehran following an appeal from Pakistan’s leadership.
The development puts two parallel tracks in focus: a gap between internal US intelligence findings and public statements by top officials, and a renewed diplomatic pause in a tense standoff that has already seen failed negotiations and threats of escalation.
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According to a report by NBC News, the Pentagon’s defence intelligence wing has concluded that Iran continues to retain its “key military capabilities”, suggesting that recent operations have not significantly eroded its core strength. The findings directly contrast with earlier remarks by Trump and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who had indicated that Tehran’s forces had suffered irreversible damage.
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The intelligence report underlines that the Iranian military remains a formidable regional force despite recent engagements. This stands in sharp contrast to claims by the administration that Iran’s “air force has been destroyed” and its “navy decimated”, as cited in the NBC News report.
The assessment adds to growing scrutiny over the accuracy of public messaging from Washington at a time when military and diplomatic calculations remain tightly intertwined.
Amid these internal assessments, Trump confirmed that the ceasefire with Iran would be extended, just hours before its expiry. The decision followed what he described as a direct request from Pakistan’s leadership.
Calling the Iranian leadership “seriously fractured,” Trump said the maritime blockade on Iranian ports would continue until Tehran presents a “unified proposal” for negotiations.
In a post on Truth Social, he said the US had “been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”
He added that he had “directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able,” making it clear that the pause in hostilities was conditional and temporary.
The extension drew an immediate pushback from Tehran. Mahdi Mohammadi, adviser to Iran’s parliament speaker, dismissed the move, asserting that the “losing side cannot dictate terms.”
He said the extension “means nothing” and called for a stronger military response against US forces. In a post on X, Mohammadi stated that “Trump’s extension of the ceasefire means nothing” as the “losing side cannot set the terms.”
He further argued that “continuing the siege is no different from bombing and must be responded to militarily,” warning that the move could be an attempt to buy time for a surprise strike. “It is time for Iran to take the initiative,” he added.
The current situation follows the collapse of earlier diplomatic efforts, including a prolonged round of negotiations held in Islamabad. The talks, which lasted 21 hours, failed to produce a long-term agreement between the two sides, leaving the conflict unresolved and tensions high.
With intelligence reports saying one thing, leaders projecting another, and military realities adding their own pressure, the situation remains tense and unclear, with neither side willing to step back.
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