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United States intelligence assessments have suggested that Iran likely still has access to around 70 percent of its pre-war ballistic missile stockpiles, and around 60 percent of its missile launchers, The New York Times reported on April 18.
According to the Times, when a two-week ceasefire came into effect between Iran and the United States on April 8, the Islamic Republic had access to around half of its ballistic missile launchers.
Since then, the report said it has managed to dig out another 100 launchers from under the ground, bringing the total of operational missile launchers to around 60% of the pre-war total.
The report adds that Iran is also working to dig out any missile stocks that became buried under the rubble as a result of American and Israeli strikes. Once complete, the U.S. intelligence officials believe Tehran will have missile stockpiles amounting to around 70% of its pre-war stockpiles.
Iran also still retains around 40% of its drone arsenal, according to the Times, which cited U.S. intelligence and military officials.
There have been already multiple reports of Iran digging up missiles and launchers, and just last week U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed this.
“We are reloading with more power than ever before, and better intelligence, even more importantly, better intelligence than ever before,” Hegseth told a press briefing on April 16.
“You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. You can dig out for now. Can’t reconstitute, but we can,” he added, referring to Iran’s military leadership.
Recent reports go directly against the claims made by the U.S. and Israel shortly after the start of the war. The militaries of both countries suggested that most of the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile stockpiles and launchers were effectively wiped out.
The ceasefire is set to end in less than days, and efforts are already underway to hold a second round of American-Iranian talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, before that.
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