The United States intelligence community has assessed that Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran has failed to significantly degrade Tehran's missile capabilities, contradicting the president's assertions of a decisive victory. According to reports shared with lawmakers, Iran has regained access to the majority of its missile sites, launchers, and underground facilities following a month-long ceasefire.
Missile Sites and Stockpiles
Iran is believed to have restored access to all but three of its 33 missile sites positioned along the Strait of Hormuz. This allows Tehran to project power across the critical waterway and continue testing the American blockade. Underground storage and launch facilities have also largely recovered, with approximately 90 percent now considered partially or fully operational, according to sources familiar with the intelligence.
A recent CIA report estimates that Iran retains about 70 percent of its prewar missile stockpiles and could sustain operations for another three to four months under the ongoing US blockade. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi countered this assessment, claiming that stockpiles have actually increased to 120 percent of prewar levels, though this could not be independently verified.
Trump's Response
President Trump reacted strongly to the intelligence disclosures, accusing US media of “virtual treason” for reporting on them. On Truth Social, he wrote: “When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, Militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement. They are aiding and abetting the enemy! All it does is give Iran false hope when none should exist. These are American cowards that are rooting against our Country.”
Trump further claimed that Iran’s navy had been completely destroyed, stating: “Iran had 159 ships in their Navy — Every single ship is now resting at the bottom of the sea. They have no Navy, their Air Force is gone, all Technology is gone, their ‘leaders’ are no longer with us, and the Country is an Economic Disaster.”
War Costs
The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that the ten-week war has cost the United States $29 billion, an increase of $4 billion from a previous estimate. An official explained to lawmakers that the updated figure includes costs for repair and replacement of equipment as well as operational expenses.
When asked whether Americans’ financial struggles were motivating him to seek a deal, Trump replied: “Not even a little bit. The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all. That's the only thing that motivates me.”
