## US Intelligence Contradicts Trump: Only 'Certain' of Destroying One-Third of Iran's Missiles
A stark intelligence assessment directly contradicts President Trump's public boasts of military success against Iran. According to five sources familiar with U.S. intelligence, the United States is only certain it has destroyed approximately one-third of Iran's missile arsenal. The status of another third remains unclear, though U.S.-Israeli strikes may have damaged, destroyed, or buried those systems in hardened tunnels and bunkers. This confidential evaluation, delivered a month into the campaign, reveals a significant gap between operational reality and political rhetoric.

The assessment indicates Tehran retains substantial retaliatory capability, a critical factor for regional stability. A separate source noted Iran's drone capability has also likely been reduced by about a third. This stands in sharp contrast to President Trump's claim at a recent cabinet meeting that "99 percent of Iran's missiles had been destroyed," a statement made while discussing options to open the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The discrepancy highlights a dangerous disconnect between intelligence findings and public declarations, raising serious questions about the transparency of the conflict's progress and the strategic calculus for future operations. It signals that Iran's military infrastructure, particularly its deep-buried assets, remains a resilient and potent threat, complicating any U.S. or allied plans for escalation or securing vital maritime chokepoints.
---
- **Source**: ZeroHedge
- **Sector**: The Network
- **Tags**: Iran, Missile Defense, Military Intelligence, Donald Trump, Strait of Hormuz
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-03-28 20:56:52
- **ID**: 39277
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/39277