WSJ: US intelligence concerned about Iran's underground missile arsenal

Iran still has thousands of ballistic missiles at its disposal and could use them by rolling launchers out of underground shelters, US intelligence assessments show.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials; European Pravda

Details: The assessments emerged as the United States is seeking to secure a ceasefire that would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and protect Iran, US forces and Middle Eastern states from further attacks.

Some US officials are concerned that Iran could use the lull in fighting to at least partially rebuild its missile arsenal.

Reports by US intelligence agencies suggest that Iran can rebuild some of its missile forces.

Although US officials say more than half of Iran's launchers have been destroyed, damaged or blocked underground, many of the remaining launchers can be repaired or dug out of underground complexes.

Iran's missile stockpile has also fallen by about half during the conflict, but the country still retains thousands of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles that can be brought out from shelters or raised from underground facilities, US and Israeli officials said.

The US officials told the WSJ that Iran now has well under 50% of the attack drones it had at the start of the war, as many have been used during the conflict and weapons production sites in Tehran have been struck by the US and Israel.

However, the sources said the regime can acquire similar systems from Russia.

Iran also still has a small stockpile of cruise missiles that could be used to strike ships in the Gulf or US forces.

Limiting Iran's future military capabilities will depend not only on the threat of fresh attacks by US and Israeli forces, but also on sanctions and export controls.

One of Iran's demands for ending the conflict is the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions that punish countries doing business with Iran.

Background:

• On 8 April, the US and Iran accepted a proposal from Pakistan for a two-week ceasefire in order to prepare a peace agreement.
• In addition, the US and Iran are holding talks in Pakistan aimed at securing a final peace.
• Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said earlier that the US can launch further strikes on Iran if it uses the ceasefire to regroup its forces.

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