Russia has provided Iran with missiles, allowing Tehran to replenish its arsenals amid uncertainty over renewed US strikes, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing Western officials familiar with the matter.
According to the report, carried by Haaretz, Iran has maintained its missile and drone production facilities despite months of US and Israeli airstrikes, and retains the ability to manufacture weapons. One official said Iran still holds substantial stocks of ballistic missiles and some anti-ship weapons and can rapidly produce more.
The finding corroborates a separate Western intelligence assessment made in June, the report says. Russia's Defense Ministry did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment, and the White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond.
US claims challenged
The report challenges US claims that eight months of American airstrikes have destroyed Iran's missile capabilities. Israel estimated Iran had about 2,500 ballistic missiles before the war, though the current number is unknown. Western intelligence assessments in June suggested Iran retained about 75 percent of its prewar munitions.
Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has launched more than 4,000 Shahed cruise missiles and at least 2,000 ballistic missiles, according to Bloomberg Economics.
The assessment also says Tehran has stepped up attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, striking at least 10 vessels over the past week, according to the British navy. The Financial Times reported last month that Russia has been secretly helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles since 2023, with Russian engineers assisting Tehran on a ramjet propulsion system that could eventually threaten US warships and naval assets.
The pause in major US strikes has given Tehran time to rebuild ahead of another round of fighting, Bloomberg Economics' defense lead Becca Wasser said, warning the conflict could drag on without either side gaining a clear advantage.
Sources:
Russia Supplying Iran With Missiles as Tehran Rebuilds Arsenal, Report Says (Haaretz, citing Bloomberg)
According to the report, carried by Haaretz, Iran has maintained its missile and drone production facilities despite months of US and Israeli airstrikes, and retains the ability to manufacture weapons. One official said Iran still holds substantial stocks of ballistic missiles and some anti-ship weapons and can rapidly produce more.
The finding corroborates a separate Western intelligence assessment made in June, the report says. Russia's Defense Ministry did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment, and the White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond.
US claims challenged
The report challenges US claims that eight months of American airstrikes have destroyed Iran's missile capabilities. Israel estimated Iran had about 2,500 ballistic missiles before the war, though the current number is unknown. Western intelligence assessments in June suggested Iran retained about 75 percent of its prewar munitions.
Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has launched more than 4,000 Shahed cruise missiles and at least 2,000 ballistic missiles, according to Bloomberg Economics.
The assessment also says Tehran has stepped up attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, striking at least 10 vessels over the past week, according to the British navy. The Financial Times reported last month that Russia has been secretly helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles since 2023, with Russian engineers assisting Tehran on a ramjet propulsion system that could eventually threaten US warships and naval assets.
The pause in major US strikes has given Tehran time to rebuild ahead of another round of fighting, Bloomberg Economics' defense lead Becca Wasser said, warning the conflict could drag on without either side gaining a clear advantage.
Sources:
Russia Supplying Iran With Missiles as Tehran Rebuilds Arsenal, Report Says (Haaretz, citing Bloomberg)
