Iran's rebuilding ballistic arsenal challenges claims of a decisive US victory

Donald Trump insisted Iran’s military was 'decimated' during a May 13 press conference before his trip to Beijing, calling critics 'cowards' on Truth Social. However, The New York Times reported that US intelligence found Iran had regained access to 30 of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz just weeks after a ceasefire ended. The article highlighted Iran’s extensive network of 27 large underground missile facilities, described as 'missile cities,' spread across mountainous regions three times the size of France. These sites house ballistic missiles and drones in kilometers of tunnels, complicating efforts to neutralize them. According to US intelligence, roughly 70% of Iran’s mobile missile launchers remain operational nationwide. The country is also believed to have retained about 70% of its prewar missile stockpile, including short-range cruise and ballistic missiles, though exact ranges were not specified. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, as Iran’s rebuilt arsenal threatens US warships and commercial oil tankers transiting the vital maritime corridor. The findings contradict Trump’s public assertions, raising questions about the effectiveness of recent military actions against Iran’s defense capabilities. The New York Times based its reporting on classified US intelligence assessments, though full details were not disclosed. The article underscored the challenges of fully dismantling Iran’s missile infrastructure amid ongoing regional tensions.