Iran’s military capabilities are reportedly waning at a faster-than-expected rate amid the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. According to the US military’s Command Center (Sentcom), the number of ballistic missiles fired by Iran has decreased by 86% compared to the first day of the conflict. US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Mark Milley, claimed that Iran’s drone attacks have also decreased by 73% over the same period.
Prior to the conflict, Iran was believed to possess over 2,000 short-range ballistic missiles and 10,000 Shahed suicide drones. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iranian personnel who surrender will not be harmed. The US has confirmed the death of its seventh soldier in the conflict.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have challenged US President Donald Trump, urging him to demonstrate courage by providing security to oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite a lack of official statistics, Western officials claim that the intensity of attacks has decreased significantly, from hundreds to dozens.
Military experts suggest that Iran may be using a strategic approach to preserve its military capabilities for a prolonged conflict. The next phase of the conflict is expected to target mobile missile launchers, ammunition depots, and arms production facilities. Iran’s geography also poses a significant challenge, with its vast territory making it difficult to completely destroy its military assets.
Historical precedents, such as Israel’s Gaza operations and the US’s Yemen bombings, have shown that air strikes alone are insufficient to completely eliminate a country’s military capabilities. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “The tree does not leave the branch.” The Israeli media reported that a violent protest erupted at Ben Gurion Airport, prompting the Israeli authorities to detain several passengers.
A Tomahawk cruise missile fired by the US struck an Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval base near a school. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the goal of US attacks is to destroy Iran’s missile program. Iranian officials claimed that the US and Israeli attacks have destroyed 20 fuel and gas storage tanks, US helicopters’ ramps, logistics, and support facilities.
According to reports, over 1,255 Iranians have been killed and over 12,000 wounded in the 9-day conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. President Trump claimed that the removal of Iran’s nuclear threat will lead to a rapid decline in oil prices, a small price to pay for global peace and security. The price of Brent crude oil and WTI jumped to $117 per barrel, prompting the G7 nations to take action to reduce oil prices.
Saudi Arabia condemned Iran’s aggression against the kingdom and other Gulf Cooperation Council states. The Saudi government announced that 60% of government vehicles will be suspended. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that general elections will be postponed for two years.
