A militarily degraded Iran is still a stubborn foe

AP News • March 31, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Despite U.S.-Israeli claims of having "obliterated" Iran's military capabilities since the war began on Feb. 28, Iran continues to launch persistent missile and drone strikes against Israel and Gulf Arab neighbors, causing regional instability and economic disruption.
Iranian ballistic missile launches have decreased significantly—by up to 90% since the conflict's start—but Iran has increased the use of low-flying drones that are harder to intercept, straining U.S. and Israeli missile defense resources.
Experts suggest Iran is strategically rationing its attacks to maximize economic damage, targeting sensitive infrastructure like oil pipelines and desalination plants to pressure the U.S. into negotiations and to maintain leverage.
Iran's capacity to sustain its current level of retaliation remains uncertain, but it likely retains thousands of inexpensive, locally produced drones, allowing it to continue asymmetric attacks despite losses to its missile stockpile.
U.S. and Israeli officials acknowledge challenges in destroying Iran's hardened missile facilities and mobile launchers, indicating that Iran's military resilience and strategic planning have complicated efforts to neutralize its capabilities quickly.

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