FLASH NEWS
Reuters: US confirms destruction of only 1/3 of Iran's missiles
2026-03-27 16:42:54 / BOTA
The United States has only managed to reliably destroy about a third of Iran's missile arsenal, Reuters reported, citing five sources familiar with the matter.
According to four of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, another third of Iran's missiles remain in an unclear status, but are believed to have been damaged, partially destroyed or buried in tunnels and underground shelters after US bombing. The remainder are estimated to be still operational.
The sources stressed that a similar assessment applies to Iran's drone capabilities, where there is a degree of certainty that about a third of them have been destroyed.
Although much of the missile arsenal has been damaged or rendered inaccessible, estimates show that Iran continues to have a significant stockpile of missiles. According to experts, Tehran could recover some of the missiles damaged or hidden in underground structures once hostilities cease.
This assessment contrasts with public statements by US President Donald Trump, who has claimed that Iran has "very few missiles."
During a cabinet meeting, Trump also acknowledged the risk posed by even a small portion of the remaining arsenal:
"Even if we destroy 99%, 1% is unacceptable, because it can hit a ship that costs billions of dollars," he said.
The US administration has emphasized that the main objective is to weaken Iran's military capabilities by striking its navy, neutralizing missiles and drones, and preventing the development of nuclear weapons.
The US Central Command, CENTCOM, announced that the operation known as "Epic Fury" is progressing according to plan. According to it, over 10,000 military targets have been hit and about 92% of the main Iranian naval fleet has been destroyed.
However, US authorities have not given an exact figure for the percentage of missile and drone capabilities neutralized.
US officials acknowledge that it is difficult to accurately determine the real damage, due to the extensive network of underground tunnels built by Iran to store weapons.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also highlighted this challenge, comparing the tunnel system to that used by militant groups in the Middle East.
Despite the intense attacks, Iran has shown that it has not exhausted its military capabilities. Just recently, according to authorities, Tehran launched 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones towards the United Arab Emirates.
Iran has also demonstrated new capabilities, launching long-range missiles for the first time towards a military base in Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean.
Experts warn that, despite the damage caused, Iran may have retained up to 30% of its missile capabilities, calling into question the full effectiveness of the US operation.
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