Iran Can Still ‘Wreak Absolute Havoc Throughout the Entire Region’ With Half of Its Missile Capabilities Intact, According to US Intelligence
By The Media Line Staff
US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran retains significant missile capabilities despite over a month of Israeli and US strikes, with roughly half of its launchers still usable, according to three sources familiar with the reports who spoke to CNN on Friday.
The findings, compiled in recent days, suggest Iran remains capable of launching attacks across the region. “They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” one of the sources said of Iran.
The surviving launchers may include systems buried underground by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to shield them from airstrikes. Intelligence also found that a large percentage of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles remain intact, largely because US operations have focused on targeting Iran’s navy rather than missile systems positioned along the coast that could strike ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The assessment contrasts with earlier public statements by President Donald Trump, who said in remarks to the nation on Wednesday evening that Iran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left.”
According to the latest intelligence report, President Trump’s estimate that the war could last only two or three weeks appears unrealistic. “We can keep f**king them up, I don’t doubt it, but you’re out of your mind if you think this will be done in two weeks,” one source told CNN. Earlier in the conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said one week into the war that it had destroyed 75% of Iran’s missile launchers.
However, a Reuters report three weeks later said US intelligence could confirm the destruction of only about one-third of Iran’s missile arsenal. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell rejected CNN’s reporting, calling it “completely wrong.”
“The United States military has delivered a crippling series of blows to the Iranian regime,” Parnell said.
“We are far ahead of schedule on accomplishing our military objectives: destroy Iran’s missile arsenal, annihilate their Navy, destroy their terrorist proxies, and ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Brought to you by www.srnnews.com