SAEDNEWS: The New York Times, citing U.S. intelligence assessments, has rejected Donald Trump’s claim that Iran’s missile capabilities were destroyed, reporting that Tehran has maintained operational capacity and warning of growing concerns over the continuation and escalation of the conflict.
According to the Saed News political service, The New York Times on Wednesday morning rejected claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the alleged inoperability of Iran’s missile facilities and bases.
Based on reports from U.S. intelligence and security agencies, the newspaper wrote that contrary to Trump’s assertions, the Islamic Republic of Iran has access to most of its missile sites, and around 90 percent of them are operational.
Quoting Fars News Agency, the report states: “Iran has restored operational access to 30 out of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, which could threaten U.S. warships and oil tankers passing through this narrow waterway. Only three missile sites along the strait remain completely inaccessible.”
The New York Times explained that assessments show that—depending on the level of damage to different sites—Iranian forces can use mobile launchers stationed within these facilities to relocate missiles elsewhere, and in some cases, they can launch missiles directly from platforms that are part of the installations.
U.S. intelligence agencies say that Iran still has about 70 percent of its mobile launchers deployed across the country and has retained approximately 70 percent of its pre-war missile stockpile.
Accordingly, “these stockpiles include ballistic missiles capable of targeting other countries in the region, as well as a smaller number of cruise missiles that can be used against short-range land or naval targets.”
The New York Times further stated: “New intelligence assessments indicate that Trump and his military advisers overstated the damage that the U.S. military could inflict on Iran’s missile sites and underestimated Iran’s resilience and ability to return to normal operations.”
The report continues: “These findings also highlight the dilemma Trump would face if a fragile one-month ceasefire collapses and full-scale war resumes. The U.S. military has already exhausted many of its critical munitions, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Patriot interceptor missiles, and ground-based precision strike systems such as ATACMS. Meanwhile, intelligence suggests that Iran retains significant military capability, including around the vital Strait of Hormuz.”
The newspaper added: “If Trump orders further strikes to eliminate or reduce Iran’s capabilities, the U.S. military would have to further deplete its critical ammunition stockpiles. Doing so would weaken U.S. reserves at a time when the Pentagon and major defense manufacturers are already struggling to expand industrial capacity to replenish them.”
Finally, the New York Times noted: “Iran’s apparent ability to maintain significant military capacity is raising concerns among U.S. allies about the rationality of continuing the war, and has also fueled criticism among Trump’s opponents, who were against entering the conflict from the beginning.”
