Iran retains significant military capabilities despite claims that its army has been destroyed, according to U.S. intelligence
Iran has significantly greater military capabilities than the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump publicly acknowledges, despite its bold claims about “destroying” the country’s capabilities.
This is reported with reference to CBS News sources familiar with intelligence data.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump and Pentagon Chief Pete Hagset stated that as a result of the allies’ operation, Iran’s military capabilities had been effectively “destroyed.”
In particular, Operation Epic Fury was called a “decisive victory” in Washington, one that allegedly rendered the Iranian military incapable of combat for years.
However, according to U.S. intelligence assessments, even after massive strikes, Iran retains a significant military arsenal. This includes, in particular, thousands of missiles and strike drones capable of posing a threat to U.S. forces and their allies in the region.
“Iran retains thousands of missiles and single-use drones that could threaten U.S. and partner forces throughout the region, despite the deterioration of its capabilities due to both attrition and expenditure,” wrote Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Adams.
According to officials, about 60% of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ naval forces, including speedboats, remain operational.
Assessments of combat losses indicate that the joint U.S.-Israeli operation dealt a significant blow to Iran’s navy. At the same time, the IRGC unit, created to wage asymmetric warfare and equipped with numerous small vessels, has partially retained its combat capability. It is these forces that continue to affect the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
It is also noted that on April 22, Iranian gunboats attacked several commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This occurred shortly after Donald Trump announced a unilateral extension of the ceasefire to create conditions for peace talks.
As for Iran’s air force, it has suffered significant losses but has not been completely destroyed.
According to sources, about two-thirds of Iran’s air force remains operational even after a large-scale campaign by the U.S. and Israel, during which thousands of targets were struck, including warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Additionally, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency emphasized in a written statement to the House Armed Services Committee that Iran continues to retain the capability to inflict damage.
Iran stated that a possible ceasefire in the war with the U.S. would only make sense if the naval blockade were lifted and Israel ceased hostilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington is not setting strict deadlines for reaching a ceasefire or resuming negotiations with Iran.
Prior to this, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has repeatedly violated the ceasefire since it was established between Washington and Tehran. According to Trump, there have been numerous incidents that cast doubt on Iran’s compliance with the ceasefire agreements.
Trumpexpressed his willingness to meet personally with Iran’s new leadership.
US President Donald Trump also announced progress in negotiations with Iran, under which Washington would allegedly receive all of Tehran’s enriched uranium without any financial payments.
Additionally, Israel agreed to a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon and announced the start of a move toward a diplomatic settlement; however, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the war against Hezbollah is not yet over and military operations will continue.
Additionally, Iran announced new rules for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world’s key oil supply routes. Commercial vessels will now be able to transit only with permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.
