Iran claims 75 percent of missiles and drone capabilities are still operational

Amid reports of a severe shortage in US missile stocks, Iranian authorities have claimed that more than 75% of the country's missiles and drone capabilities remain intact and operational, enabling Tehran to sustain a prolonged war with Washington.

Iranian military Deputy Executive Officer Brigadier General Ali Reza Sheikh told the state-run news agency IRNA that more than 75% of Iran's missiles and drone capabilities are operational and ready. He said that due to the uninterrupted continuation of domestic production, there has been no pause, even for a moment, in the defensive capabilities of the Iranian armed forces, the production of drones, and missiles.

According to Sheikh, the ability to re-manufacture military equipment at the domestic level is a key element of Iran's ability to wage a long war. He said that missile and drone capabilities have moved Iran's military doctrine from a purely defensive position to one of deterrence and active operation.

He stated that since Iran's capabilities in the fields of missiles and drones are generated from domestic resources, Tehran has the ability to sustain military operations for a long time.

The Iranian general described the country's military capability as an integrated system consisting of various fields, including missile forces, drones, air and ground forces, cyber capabilities, and intelligence. According to him, missiles and drones cannot work effectively in isolation but their success depends on the cooperation of various military capabilities.

Referring to the development of the Arash drone, he said it has been modernized several times according to operational requirements. He said that during recent wars, Iran has continuously updated its technology while overcoming obstacles.

Sheikh said that Iran's relatively low-cost drones have proven effective against US expensive missiles and have the capability to sustain war operations at low cost for a long time. He claimed that in the US, Congress and the government are expressing concern that US strategic and operational missile stocks are depleting rapidly.

This report is based on the claims of a senior Iranian military officer; independent verification of the claims of 75% capability remaining or the depletion of US stocks is not available in this text.