Middle East
US intelligence assesses Iran maintains significant missile launching capability despite five weeks of conflict: Report
Nearly half of Iran's missile launchers remain intact despite the US and Israeli forces targeting the military targets for the past five weeks amid the ongoing conflict in the region, CNN reported.
Citing recent US intelligence assessments, three sources familiar with the intel, the American news channel claimed that thousands of one-way attack drones remain in Iran’s arsenal.
“They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” one of the sources told CNN about Iran.
The US intelligence assessment total may include launchers that are currently inaccessible, such as those buried underground by strikes but not destroyed, the American news channel reported.
Thousands of Iranian drones still exist — roughly 50% of the country’s drone capabilities — two of the sources told CNN, the intelligence indicated.
The intelligence, compiled in recent days, also showed a large percentage of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles were intact, the sources said, consistent with the US not focusing its air campaign on coastal military assets though they have been hitting ships.
Karaj bridge strike
Meanwhile, joint strikes by the United States and Israel partially destroyed a major bridge under construction near Karaj, west of Tehran, further escalating the conflict. Several people were reported injured in the attack.
The structure, identified as the B1 Karaj bridge, was intended to connect Tehran with the western city of Karaj. Standing at approximately 136 metres, it had been described as one of the region’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
Videos circulating on social media showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the site, followed by sections of the bridge collapsing.
Trump reacts
US President Donald Trump shared visuals of the strike on Truth Social, writing: “The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again — much more to follow.” He also warned Iran to agree to a deal “before it is too late.”
Escalating conflict
The latest developments mark a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, with critical infrastructure increasingly becoming targets.
While Washington has framed the strikes as part of achieving “strategic objectives,” Tehran has condemned them as attacks on civilian infrastructure.
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