Iran still producing missiles and drones, armed by Russia: report

Iran has preserved key missile and drone manufacturing facilities despite months of US and ‘Israeli’ airstrikes, allowing Tehran to replenish its arsenals while President Donald Trump pauses major attacks ahead of the November midterm elections, according to a Bloomberg report citing Western officials.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing private assessments, said Tehran still has the capacity to manufacture weapons and rebuild its stockpiles.

One official stated that Iran remains “well-stocked” with ballistic missiles and some anti-ship weapons, and “can quickly add more.”

The same official said Russia is providing missiles to Iran, echoing an earlier assessment from June.

The assessment runs counter to repeated claims by Trump and his administration that the air campaign has decimated Iran’s ability to threaten US bases and allies.

Trump has described Iran’s military as “totally destroyed,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on September 30 that the US had destroyed Iran’s “military industrial capacity” and “their entire defense base.”

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly rejected the officials’ assessment.

“First, President Trump obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer,” she said, referring to US strikes in 2025.

“Then, Operation Epic Fury successfully destroyed the conventional shield that Iran sought to create over a nuclear program, including their ballistic missiles, production facilities, and navy.”

‘Israel’ estimated Iran held about 2,500 ballistic missiles before the conflict began on February 28.

Western intelligence assessments as recently as June indicated Tehran still possessed roughly three-quarters of its prewar munitions.

A Bloomberg Economics analysis of public data found Iran has launched more than 4,000 Shahed drones and at least 2,000 ballistic missiles since the war started.

Officials said Iran retains enough firepower to retaliate effectively if the US resumes strikes.

Iran has escalated attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, with at least 10 vessels hit in the past week according to the British navy.

Separately, Hebrew newspaper Maariv reported that the US had recently pressed Israel to conduct a solo strike on Iran without American involvement, aiming to avoid political fallout for Trump ahead of the midterms.

The report said Washington later backed away from the demand after the ‘Israeli’ military chief of staff Eyal Zamir warned it could force postponement of ‘Israel’s’ October 27 elections.

Two US officials and one ‘Israeli’ official denied to Channel 12 that the US had made such a request.