Iran Retains Missile, Drone Capabilities Despite US-Israel Strikes: Intelligence

Rafia Tasleem | April 22, 2026 | 03:18 PM IST | Breaking News, Politics, World | Follow on Google News

Iran Retains Missile, Drone Capabilities Despite US-Israel Strikes: Intelligence

WASHINGTON, April 22 (VoM News): As per media reports, a new US intelligence assessment states that Iran continues to possess a significant and major arsenal of missiles and kamikaze drones.

As the war continues for weeks, Iran has managed to sustain airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel.

On one side, United States President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claim that Iran’s air and naval capabilities have been largely neutralised, but recent findings contradict such claims.

Lt Gen James Adams, who is the Defense Intelligence Agency director, stated that Tehran still retains “thousands” of missiles and one-way attack drones.

He told the House Armed Services Committee that while Iran’s capabilities have been degraded, a substantial portion of its arsenal remains intact.

Separate internal intelligence reports have suggested that nearly half of Iran’s missile launchers are still operational, along with a large number of drones.

Coastal defence cruise missiles, which are considered critical for targeting maritime traffic, are also believed to be largely unaffected, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

This assessment, which has gained attention, implies that Iran continues to pose a credible threat to United States military bases and other regional allies.

The intelligence reports suggest that commercial shipping routes are also affected, whereas analysts note that United States-led strikes under Operation Epic Fury targeted hundreds of missile and drone facilities but failed to eliminate Iran’s production or deployment capacity.

The contrast between official United States claims and recent intelligence findings highlights the uncertainty over the actual extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s military infrastructure.

Meanwhile, as talks are likely on the cards, only time will tell whether Iran complies with the US proposal or the war continues.

Rafia Tasleem

Rafia Tasleem is a seasoned journalist from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, recognized for her expertise in content writing, investigative research, fact-based reporting, strategic media planning, presentation and lot more. With experience working for both national and international news organizations, she brings a deep understanding of media dynamics. Holding a Master’s in Communication and Media Studies from Aligarh Muslim University, she has been contributing to VoM News for the past two years. For inquiries, contact rafiatasleem@seashell-clam-300365.hostingersite.com.