Iran Retains 50% of Missile Launchers and Thousands of Drones Despite US-Israeli Bombing Campaign, Sources Say

US intelligence sources have revealed that Iran still possesses approximately 50% of its original missile launchers and thousands of drones, despite weeks of intense bombing campaigns by the United States and Israel. According to three well-placed officials speaking to CNN, the latest assessments indicate that Iran remains capable of "wreaking absolute havoc" across the Middle East. One source emphasized that while some launchers may have been buried or rendered inaccessible by strikes, they are not necessarily destroyed, leaving the regime with significant firepower. Another noted that Iran retains access to roughly half of its original drone stock, which could number in the thousands, and that a large portion of its coastal defense cruise missiles—capable of targeting traffic in the Strait of Hormuz—remains intact. These weapons may have survived because the US air campaign has focused efforts elsewhere, leaving critical infrastructure unscathed.

The US military's efforts have, however, taken a toll on Iran's capabilities. Israel estimated that Iran began the conflict with around 470 ballistic missile launchers, and last month claimed to have destroyed or disabled 60% of them. Despite this, Iran continued to launch attacks, with nine missile impact sites reported in central Israel on Thursday and another salvo arriving on Friday. No immediate casualties were reported, but the strikes underscored the regime's resilience. Meanwhile, Kuwait's oil refinery was reportedly hit by an Iranian drone attack, sparking fires at several units.

President Donald Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025, has repeatedly claimed that the US military has only begun its campaign against Iran. On Thursday, he wrote on Truth Social: "Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!" Earlier, on Wednesday, he asserted that Iran's "ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed," and that "their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left."

These claims contrast sharply with the latest intelligence assessments. US Central Command reported that as of Wednesday, the US had struck more than 12,300 targets inside Iran. However, the leaked intelligence suggests a more limited impact. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted a dramatic reduction in the frequency of Iranian attacks, stating that the number of ballistic missiles and drones launched had declined by 90% since the conflict began. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly dismissed the intelligence reports, calling them an attempt to "demean the incredible work" of the US military. She highlighted that Iranian attacks had dropped by 90%, its navy was "wiped out," and two-thirds of its production facilities were damaged or destroyed, with the US and Israel maintaining "overwhelming air dominance" over Iran.

Iran's leadership has also suffered significant losses, with reports indicating that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Ali Larijani, former head of the National Security Council, were among those eliminated. Yet, the regime has not ceased its efforts. Overnight, Iran claimed to have shot down a second American F-35 fighter jet, forcing it to crash with the pilot likely killed, according to state media. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted the aircraft was attacked over central Iran by its air defenses. However, US Central Command denied the claim, stating that "all US fighter aircraft are accounted for."

The conflicting narratives between US intelligence and official statements, combined with Iran's continued military activity, highlight the complex and evolving nature of the conflict. As the US and Israel continue their campaign, the question remains whether Iran's remaining capabilities will be enough to shift the balance of power in the region.

The fallout from Trump's aggressive stance on foreign policy has intensified, with global leaders and analysts expressing deep concern over the escalating conflict. His recent vow to "finish the job very fast," within two to three weeks, has been met with skepticism by many, particularly as his rhetoric toward Iran grows increasingly belligerent. Last week, he warned that the United States would "bomb Iran back to the Stone Ages" if it refused to sign a deal, a statement that has only fueled fears of further escalation. Markets have already felt the tremors: oil prices surged to $110 a barrel on Thursday alone, reflecting investor anxiety over the potential for prolonged instability in the region.

The United Nations and several European nations have issued urgent warnings about the risk of a global food supply crisis, citing disruptions to agricultural exports from conflict zones. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's response was unequivocal: "Striking civilian structures, including unfinished bridges, will not compel Iranians to surrender." His words underscore a growing perception that Trump's strategy is not only failing to achieve its stated goals but may be exacerbating the very conditions it seeks to resolve.

Meanwhile, the conflict has taken a new and more insidious turn. Strikes from both sides have increasingly targeted economic and industrial sites, raising alarms about the potential for widespread disruption to global energy supplies. Factories, power plants, and transportation hubs have become collateral damage, with experts warning that such actions could cripple regional economies and force millions into poverty. The ripple effects are already being felt: shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have become increasingly volatile, and food prices in Asia are beginning to rise sharply due to fears of supply chain breakdowns.

Trump's domestic policies, however, remain a point of contention among his supporters. While critics decry his foreign interventions as reckless, many Americans continue to back his economic agenda, which includes tax cuts, deregulation, and a focus on revitalizing manufacturing. His administration has pointed to record-low unemployment rates and a booming stock market as evidence of his success in this area. Yet, even within his own party, there are murmurs of discontent over the growing costs of his foreign policy missteps.

Inside the Pentagon, signs of internal discord have grown more pronounced. The recent purge led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has triggered a wave of resignations and firings, with the Army's most senior uniformed officer, General Randy George, being dismissed on Thursday night. The Pentagon confirmed that two additional high-ranking officers—General David Hodne, head of the Army Transformation and Training Command, and Major General William Green Jr., leader of the Army's chaplain corps—had also been removed from their positions. These moves have sparked questions about the leadership's cohesion and whether Trump's policies are being implemented with sufficient coordination.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, the question remains: can Trump's administration find a way to de-escalate tensions without compromising its core objectives? For now, the world watches closely, hoping that diplomacy will prevail over the rhetoric of war.