Iran Challenges Trump, Claims 75% of Missile and Drone Arsenal Intact

Iran has refuted repeated claims by US President Donald Trump regarding significant damage to its military capabilities, issuing a direct challenge to Washington. Tehran maintains that 75 percent of its missile and drone capabilities remain intact and combat-ready, despite sustaining large-scale attacks from the United States and Israel in recent months.

Brigadier General Ali Reza Sheikh, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Military for Executive Affairs, stated that the majority of the country’s strategic weapons systems are still operational. He further described Iran’s drone systems as having become a ‘nightmare for the enemy’.

The statement appears designed to underscore Tehran’s ability to continue deploying its combat systems despite the barrage of strikes launched by Washington and Tel Aviv.

Trump had previously cast doubt on Iran’s military strength. In a June interview with NBC News, he claimed that Iran had lost most of its missile and drone production capacity, estimating that Tehran retained only around 21 to 22 percent of its previous missile stockpile. He asserted that most drone factories, launch pads, and missile production areas had been neutralised.

In a separate development, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran’s nuclear programme is no longer Washington’s top priority. He indicated that reducing fuel prices for American consumers has become the primary objective. While acknowledging the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, he listed this as a secondary goal behind keeping oil and gas prices low for citizens across the United States.