US intelligence contradicts Trump, says Iran not significantly weakened - CBS
Photo: US intelligence (Getty Images)
Iran has more military capabilities than the administration of US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledges, despite claims about the destruction of the opponent's army, according to CBS News sources commenting on intelligence data.
Discrepancies with White House statements
Earlier, US President Donald Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that as a result of the operation by the US and its allies, Iranian military capabilities had been effectively destroyed.
In particular, the operation Epic Fury was called a decisive victory in Washington, which supposedly rendered Iran's army incapable of fighting for years.
However, according to US intelligence, even after the massive strikes, Iran retains a significant arsenal, including thousands of missiles and attack drones capable of threatening US forces and their allies in the region.
"Iran retains thousands of missiles and one-way attack UAVs that can threaten U.S. and partner forces throughout the region, despite degradations to its capabilities from both attrition and expenditure," wrote Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Adams.
State of Iran's Navy
According to officials, approximately 60% of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' naval forces, including speedboats, still exist.
Battle damage assessments show that the joint US-Israeli operation against Iran destroyed a significant portion of the Islamic state's fleet, but the IRGC's naval branch, designed for asymmetric warfare and equipped with many smaller vessels, remains partially intact. It is this fleet that is hindering oil transportation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The article recalls that on Wednesday, April 22, Iranian gunboats attacked several commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz shortly after Trump announced a unilateral extension of the ceasefire to allow more time for peace negotiations.
Iran's Air Force
Regarding Iran's Air Force, although it has been significantly weakened, it has not been completely destroyed, CBS writes, citing its sources.
According to officials, about two-thirds of Iran's air force remains operational after the intensive US and Israeli campaign, which struck thousands of targets, including storage and production facilities.
In addition, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency submitted a written statement ahead of hearings in the House Armed Services Committee, in which he noted that Iran can still cause damage.
For context, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the two-week ceasefire in the war with Iran, one day before it was set to expire on Wednesday. However, Tehran does not recognize the extension of the agreement and has stated that it may take military action if the situation demands it.
As of now, Tehran has shelled several foreign vessels, and the US has seized three Iranian oil ships in Asian waters.
