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Iran has strongly pushed back against a reported US intelligence assessment claiming its missile capabilities were significantly weakened after weeks of American and Israeli bombardment, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserting that Tehran remains fully prepared to defend itself. Araghchi said Iran’s “readiness to defend our people” stands at “1,000%,” in what analysts see as a strong warning to the US against any fresh military action

In a sharply worded statement issued from Tehran, Araghchi accused the United States of repeatedly undermining diplomatic efforts through military action and dismissed claims regarding damage to Iran’s missile infrastructure.

CIA Assessment Rejected

According to reports citing US intelligence officials, Iran still retains nearly 75 per cent of its mobile missile launchers and around 70 per cent of its missile stockpile despite weeks of sustained strikes by US and Israeli forces.

The assessment further claimed that Iran had managed to reopen several underground storage facilities, repair damaged missiles and resume assembling new ones even after the bombardment campaign.

Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure. Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS into another quagmire?

Whatever the causes, outcome is the same: Iranians never bow to pressure. pic.twitter.com/ev7dMIebNB

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 8, 2026

However, Araghchi directly rejected the findings, saying the CIA’s calculations were inaccurate.

“Our missile inventory and launcher capacity are not at 75 per cent compared to February 28. The correct figure is 120 per cent,” he said in a statement that appeared aimed at projecting confidence and military resilience.

Diplomacy Versus Military Pressure

The Iranian foreign minister also accused Washington of choosing “reckless military adventure” whenever diplomatic solutions appeared possible.

He suggested that external actors were attempting to drag the United States into another prolonged regional conflict, while insisting that Iran would not bow to pressure.

Araghchi’s statement stopped short of issuing a direct military threat, but analysts view the remarks as a calibrated warning designed to deter further attacks and reassure domestic audiences that Iran’s strategic capabilities remain intact.

The comments come at a time of mounting instability in the region, with reports of missile interceptions, naval confrontations and renewed fears of a wider conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.