Fact Check: Iran still possesses a substantial portion of its estimated 2,000 missiles.

Fact Check: "Iran still possesses a substantial portion of its estimated 2,000 missiles."

What We Know

Iran is known to have a significant ballistic missile program, which is considered one of the largest in the Middle East. According to a report by the U.S. Treasury, Iran has developed over ten distinct ballistic missile systems and maintains a stockpile of hundreds of missiles. This aligns with estimates that suggest Iran possesses approximately 3,000 missiles across various ranges, as noted in Wikipedia.

Israeli intelligence has previously estimated that Iran had about 2,000 missiles capable of reaching Israel, although some of these may have been destroyed in conflicts, as reported by the Washington Post. Furthermore, the Iran's Nuclear Weapons Capability and Terrorism Monitoring Act of 2022 emphasizes that Iran continues to enhance the accuracy and reliability of its missile systems.

Analysis

The claim that "Iran still possesses a substantial portion of its estimated 2,000 missiles" is supported by several credible sources. The U.S. Treasury report indicates that Iran has an extensive ballistic missile inventory, which supports the assertion that a significant number of these missiles remain operational. However, the exact number of missiles currently in Iran's possession is not definitively stated, leading to some ambiguity.

The Israeli estimates of 2,000 missiles are corroborated by multiple sources, including the Iran Watch and the JINSA report, which also suggest that Iran has maintained a substantial missile capability despite losses due to military engagements. However, it is important to note that the term "substantial" is subjective and could vary based on the context of military capability versus total inventory.

While the sources cited are generally reliable, they may have inherent biases. For instance, Israeli intelligence reports often emphasize threats posed by Iran, which could lead to inflated numbers. Conversely, U.S. assessments may focus on the strategic implications of Iran's missile capabilities, potentially downplaying operational losses.

Conclusion

The claim that "Iran still possesses a substantial portion of its estimated 2,000 missiles" is Partially True. While there is strong evidence that Iran maintains a significant missile inventory, the exact number of operational missiles is not clearly defined, and estimates can vary. Therefore, while the essence of the claim holds merit, the ambiguity surrounding the precise figures warrants a cautious interpretation.

Sources

1. Iran Ballistic Missile Procurement Advisory - ofac.treasury.gov
2. Iran's Nuclear Weapons Capability and Terrorism Monitoring Act of 2022
3. Israel-Iran conflict may last only as long as their missiles hold out ...
4. Iran's ballistic missiles program
5. Table of Iran's Missile Arsenal - Iran Watch
6. Multiples explosions en Iran il y a une heure - JForum
7. Iranian Ballistic Missile Estimates
8. Report to Congress on Iran's Ballistic Missile Programs