Image Credits: Image Title: US Intelligence Says Iran Retains Most of Missile Arsenal Despite Trump Claims. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: May 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Secret American intelligence assessments have reportedly concluded that Iran retains most of its missile capabilities despite repeated claims by Donald Trump that Tehran’s military infrastructure had been largely destroyed during the recent conflict.
According to a report published by The New York Times, classified US intelligence findings indicate Iran has restored operational access to the majority of its missile facilities and preserved roughly 70% of its prewar missile arsenal.
The findings reportedly contradict public statements from senior American officials who had described Iran’s military as severely weakened.
Missile Infrastructure Largely Restored
The report said Iran has regained operational control over 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, with only three locations remaining inaccessible.
American intelligence officials reportedly warned that the restored facilities could again threaten US naval forces and commercial oil shipments passing through the critical maritime corridor.
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil supply moves through the Strait of Hormuz, making the region one of the most strategically important waterways on the planet.
According to the assessments, Iran also retained approximately 70% of its mobile missile launchers and much of its ballistic missile stockpile capable of targeting locations across the Middle East.
The intelligence findings additionally suggested Tehran still possesses cruise missiles designed for shorter-range maritime and land attacks.
Underground Missile Facilities Still Operational
US military intelligence agencies reportedly determined that Iran regained access to nearly 90% of its underground missile storage and launch complexes nationwide.
Satellite imagery and surveillance assessments concluded many of the sites were either partially or fully operational again despite weeks of bombardment during the conflict.
The report said some underground facilities were not destroyed because American planners chose in many cases to seal tunnel entrances rather than fully demolish hardened missile complexes.
Officials reportedly made the decision partly to conserve specialized bunker-busting weapons for possible future conflicts involving countries such as North Korea or China.
Contradictions With Public Statements
The intelligence assessments sharply contrast with earlier public remarks made by Trump and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In March, Trump declared that Iran’s missile forces were “down to a scatter” and claimed the country had “nothing left in a military sense.”
Hegseth later argued that the joint US-Israeli military campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury” had rendered Iran “combat-ineffective for years to come.”
However, the intelligence reports cited by The New York Times were reportedly compiled less than a month after those statements.
White House Pushes Back
The White House strongly rejected suggestions that Iran had successfully rebuilt large portions of its military capabilities.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales defended the administration’s position, insisting Iran’s military had been “crushed.”
She described claims of significant Iranian recovery as either “delusional” or supportive of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Acting Pentagon spokesman Joel Valdez also criticized media coverage of the war and accused The New York Times of acting as a “public relations agent” for Tehran.
Concerns Grow Over Renewed Conflict
The intelligence findings reportedly intensified concerns inside Washington about the possibility of renewed fighting if the fragile ceasefire with Iran collapses.
The report noted that the United States consumed large quantities of advanced munitions during the war, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Patriot interceptor systems, and ATACMS tactical missiles.
According to the report, American forces launched around 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles and more than 1,000 Tomahawk missiles during the conflict, while firing over 1,300 Patriot interceptors.
The scale of ammunition use reportedly exceeded more than two years of manufacturing capacity based on 2025 production rates.
Military analysts say the findings raise broader questions about long-term readiness, weapons stockpiles, and the ability of both sides to sustain a prolonged conflict in the Gulf region.