Two-Thirds of Iran’s Air Force Still Operational Despite US-Israeli Strikes, CBS Reports
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Defense & Intelligence
Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that Iran’s military has been “obliterated,” US intelligence and defense officials have told CBS News that approximately two-thirds of Iran’s air force remains operational . The assessment, which also found that roughly half of Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile and 60 percent of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces are intact, paints a picture of a resilient adversary capable of sustaining a prolonged conflict .
“Iran retains thousands of missiles and one-way attack UAVs that can threaten U.S. and partner forces throughout the region, despite degradations to its capabilities from both attrition and expenditure.” — Marine Lt. Gen. James Adams, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Contradicting the ‘Obliteration’ Narrative
The CBS report, which cites three officials familiar with intelligence assessments, directly contradicts public statements by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who have described the US military campaign, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” as having effectively destroyed Iran’s military capacity .
- President Trump said on Tuesday: “We’ve taken out their navy, we’ve taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders.”
- Secretary Hegseth claimed at an April 8 press briefing: “Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield, a capital V military victory… By any measure, Epic Fury decimated Iran’s military and rendered it combat ineffective for years to come.”
However, the intelligence community’s findings suggest a more nuanced reality .
Key Findings of the CBS Report
The investigation, citing three U.S. officials with knowledge of the matter, reveals that as of the start of the ceasefire in early April, Iran still possessed significant military assets :
| Category | Remaining Capability |
|---|---|
| Air Force | Approximately two-thirds (roughly 66%) of Iran’s air force remains operational |
| Ballistic Missiles & Launch Systems | Roughly half of Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile and its associated launch systems remained intact |
| IRGC Naval Force | An estimated 60% of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval arm is still in existence, including its fleet of fast-attack boats that continue to harass shipping in the Strait of Hormuz |
The Condition of Iran’s Air Force
While the Iranian air force has been significantly degraded by US and Israeli strikes, it has not been erased .
Iran operates a mix of aging Western aircraft acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution—such as US-made F-14 Tomcats and F-4 Phantoms—alongside more modern Russian and indigenous models . Despite the age of some of these platforms, the sheer number of operational aircraft represents a continued threat to regional stability.
The Iranian Airlines Association separately reported that over 20 passenger planes were severely damaged during the strikes, but emphasized that approximately 95% of the country’s airport capacity was unaffected . Iran now has 130 active passenger planes, down from 150 before the attacks—a reduction that reflects the loss of roughly 20 aircraft .
The ‘Airpower Paradox’
The US has touted the sheer volume of its strikes. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the US military hit more than 13,000 targets . He listed high percentages for attacks or destruction to Iran’s air defenses, navy, and weapons factories, claiming that about 80% of Iran’s air defense systems were “destroyed” .
However, experts note that while bombs can destroy physical manifestations of a regime, they cannot dictate political succession or secure a transition . The “airpower paradox” suggests that achieving long-term strategic objectives often requires more than just kinetic strikes. The US has also reportedly struck more than 1,500 air defense targets, more than 450 ballistic missile storage facilities, and 800 drone storage facilities .
Iran’s ‘Operational Resilience’ and Hidden Capabilities
The ability of Iran to maintain these capabilities is not accidental. Military analysts point to a deliberate strategy of “operational resilience” .
- Underground ‘Missile Cities’: Iran has spent decades constructing fortified underground facilities, tunnels, and caves to protect its most valuable military assets from airstrikes .
- Decentralized Command: Iranian forces are deployed into 31 provincial commands, part of its ‘mosaic doctrine,’ which allows local units to continue fighting even after the collapse of central government .
- Copy Cat Systems: Iran has primarily relied on its ability to emulate and reverse engineer systems, including air defense platforms like the Bavar-373 (comparable to the Russian S-300) .
This doctrine suggests that even temporary pauses in conflict serve as opportunities for Iran to rebuild and regenerate its power.
Fragmented Decision-Making in Tehran
The CBS report comes as Iranian decision-making remains fragmented, which explains the regime’s inability to formulate a coherent negotiating position . Competing power centers, particularly the IRGC under Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi, appear to be blocking consensus on core issues .
The IRGC has used its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz to flex its power over internal rivals, such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf . This fragmentation has contributed to the paralysis of diplomatic efforts, with Iran refusing to send a delegation to Islamabad for a second round of talks until the US lifts its naval blockade .
Implications for the Ceasefire
The CBS report comes at a critical moment. President Trump recently extended the fragile ceasefire at Pakistan’s request, giving Tehran time to formulate a “unified proposal” for negotiations .
The intelligence that Iran retains a formidable arsenal has significant implications:
- Negotiating Leverage: It provides Iran with considerable leverage in any peace talks, as they retain the ability to inflict damage despite the war’s costs.
- Regional Threat: The DIA director’s warning confirms that Iran remains a potent threat to US and partner forces throughout the region, even if their overall capacity is reduced .
- Future Conflict: As the ceasefire holds, analysts warn that the speed of rebuilding will be a key factor in any future confrontation. The side that can replace its resources faster than it consumes them effectively enters an upward cycle of power.
The gap between the administration’s public rhetoric and the private intelligence assessments highlights the complexity of the current standoff and the difficult decisions facing both nations as diplomatic efforts continue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did the CBS News report reveal about Iran’s military?
The report, citing U.S. intelligence officials, stated that approximately two-thirds of Iran’s air force, half of its ballistic missiles, and 60% of the IRGC’s naval forces remained intact as of the ceasefire in early April .
2. How does this contradict President Trump’s statements?
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have claimed that Operation Epic Fury decimated Iran’s military, taking out its navy, air force, and leadership. The intelligence assessment shows that while degraded, Iran retains significant offensive capabilities .
3. What is the condition of Iran’s air force?
Iran’s air power has been significantly degraded but “hasn’t been erased.” Nearly two-thirds of its air force is still believed to be operational .
4. What is Iran’s “operational resilience” strategy?
It is a military doctrine focused on the ability to rapidly regenerate power during a crisis. This includes hiding assets in underground “missile cities” and maintaining decentralized command structures .
5. How does this affect the current ceasefire negotiations?
Iran’s retained military capability gives it significant leverage in negotiations, as it has not been rendered “combat ineffective” as claimed by U.S. officials .
6. What is the status of Iran’s air defense systems?
While the U.S. has claimed that about 80% of Iran’s air defense systems were “destroyed,” experts note that Iran still retains some capability, including reverse-engineered and indigenous systems .
Stay informed with Reflecto News – Your trusted source for breaking defense, intelligence, and geopolitical reporting. Subscribe for real-time updates on the US-Iran standoff, military assessments, and global security.