The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has told state-affiliated media that the majority of missiles it has launched in recent strikes against US and Israeli targets were produced roughly ten years ago. The spokesman added that many missiles manufactured after last June's 12‑day conflict remain unused and that large portions of the country's missile depots have not been tapped. The statement also included a tally of roughly 700 missiles and 3,600 drones said to have been fired so far at US and Israeli targets.
If accurate, the IRGC's account underscores two contrasting realities: an apparently extensive stockpile enabling sustained operations, and reliance on older munitions that may carry limitations in reliability, range and precision compared with newer designs. Iran has invested heavily in both missile and unmanned aerial vehicle programs over the past decade, and the heavy use of drones alongside missiles has become a defining feature of its asymmetric campaign. The claim that newer missiles have been conserved suggests a deliberate inventory management strategy rather than an absence of production capacity.
Independent verification of Tehran's cumulative strike figures is limited, and the numbers should be treated cautiously. States engaged in conflict routinely use public tallies as part of signaling to domestic and foreign audiences, aiming to show capability and resolve while shaping perceptions of success. Still, even conservative interpretations point to a scale of activity that continues to strain regional air defenses and keeps escalation risks elevated.
For Washington, Jerusalem and their partners, the statement complicates deterrence and defense calculations. Repeated missile and drone barrages impose operational costs on interceptors and missile‑defense systems, drive procurement and posture decisions, and increase pressure on diplomatic channels to reduce hostilities. The disclosure that a significant portion of Iran's inventory remains intact may harden Tehran's negotiating position by suggesting it can sustain pressure without exhausting its resources quickly.