A new report suggests the US may have misjudged the extent of the damage done to Iran’s missile stockpiles and wider military capability.
Iran, the US, and Israel have been trading strikes since February 28. In early March, Reuters reported the fighting had led to more than 3,000 deaths within days, including over 200 children.
Beyond the human cost, the conflict has also sent ripples through the global economy — particularly energy markets — after Iran partially blocked the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices higher.
That pressure has been one of the factors behind Washington’s attempts to broker a ceasefire or wider peace arrangement with Tehran, but negotiations have not produced an agreement so far.
Since the escalation began in February, Donald Trump has repeatedly commented on the situation and has indicated he believed US and Israeli actions had severely degraded Iran’s military infrastructure and missile capacity.
But according to a new report citing officials who spoke to The New York Times, Iran may still retain substantial capability in a key area.
The NYT report says Iran continues to have operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz — a development that could pose a risk to US naval vessels moving through the region.
It also states Iran may still be able to use mobile launchers inside locations that have been struck, depending on the severity and type of damage sustained.
“In some cases they can launch missiles directly from launchpads that are part of the facilities. Only three of the missile sites along the strait remain totally inaccessible, according to the assessments,” the NYT writes.
Those assessments are fueling concern among some observers that Trump could feel pressured to change course — potentially accepting an agreement seen as unfavorable in order to bring the war to an end, including one that would leave Iran’s nuclear program intact.
An Israeli source told CNN:
“The primary concern is that Trump will grow tired of talks and cut a deal – any deal – with last-minute concessions.”
More to follow.