WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Fresh U.S. intelligence assessments show that Iran still retains significant military capabilities despite weeks of intense airstrikes by the United States and Israel. Officials say the conflict has weakened Tehran, but it has not eliminated its ability to strike back across the region.
Recent intelligence indicates that roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact. Thousands of one-way attack drones are also still available. These weapons continue to pose a serious threat to U.S. forces, regional allies, and key shipping routes. Sources familiar with the assessment told CNN that some launchers may be buried or hidden underground. While they are not currently accessible, they are not fully destroyed. This makes them harder to count and target.
Iran’s drone arsenal also remains strong. Officials estimate that about 50% of its drone capacity is still operational. These drones, often called kamikaze drones, have played a major role in recent attacks.
Iran has spent decades building underground tunnels and storage facilities. These networks protect missile launchers and other military assets from airstrikes. They also allow Iran to move equipment quickly after launching attacks.
Officials say this strategy has slowed U.S. and Israeli efforts to destroy key systems. Mobile launch platforms can fire missiles and then relocate within minutes. This makes them difficult to track and target. The U.S. and Israel have responded by striking tunnel entrances and equipment used to reopen blocked sites. Still, many assets remain hidden and usable.
Public statements from the White House paint a different picture. Donald Trump said Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones has been “dramatically curtailed.” He claimed that only a few launchers remain.
Officials have pointed to a sharp drop in attacks as evidence of success. Pete Hegseth said missile and drone strikes against U.S. forces have fallen by 90% since the conflict began. However, intelligence sources say reduced attacks do not mean Iran has lost its capabilities. Instead, Tehran may be conserving resources or shifting tactics. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s position. She said the U.S. military has damaged or destroyed much of Iran’s production capacity and achieved air dominance.
Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles remain a major concern. Many of these systems are still intact. They allow Iran to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil routes. The U.S. has not focused heavily on these coastal systems during its campaign. Instead, it has targeted weapons used directly against allies. This strategy may leave key maritime threats in place. Iran has already shown it can still disrupt shipping in the Strait. Experts warn that even limited attacks could have global economic effects.
While U.S. strikes have heavily damaged Iran’s traditional navy, other forces remain active. The naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still holds significant strength. Intelligence estimates suggest the group retains hundreds or even thousands of small boats and unmanned vessels. These assets can swarm larger ships and harass commercial traffic. Analysts say this force plays a central role in Iran’s strategy in the Gulf. It operates differently from the conventional navy and remains harder to eliminate.
President Trump has suggested that U.S. operations could conclude within two to three weeks. However, intelligence officials caution that this timeline may be unrealistic. One source familiar with the assessments said Iran still has enough resources to prolong the conflict. The presence of hidden launchers, drones, and naval assets complicates efforts to declare a quick victory. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell rejected reports that downplay U.S. progress. He said the military has delivered “crippling” blows and remains ahead of schedule.
