However, U.S. intelligence maintains that Iran still retains a considerable stockpile of missiles beyond its surviving launch platforms.

Responding to CNN’s inquiries, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly dismissed the intelligence leaks, accusing anonymous sources of undermining President Trump and downplaying what she described as major military achievements under the “Epic Fury” campaign. She reiterated that Iranian missile and drone attacks had dropped by 90%, its navy had been effectively neutralized, two-thirds of its production facilities damaged or destroyed, and that the U.S. and Israel now maintain full air superiority.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also rejected the report, calling it “completely inaccurate.” He stated that U.S. forces had dealt decisive blows to Iran’s military infrastructure, claiming progress ahead of schedule in destroying missile stockpiles, dismantling naval forces, eliminating proxy groups, and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Israeli military officials, however, offer a lower estimate, suggesting that only 20–25% of Iran’s missile launchers remain operational. Notably, this figure excludes systems buried deep within tunnels or caves and therefore inaccessible.

President Trump has suggested the military campaign could conclude within two to three weeks. However, sources familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments consider that timeline unrealistic, given Iran’s remaining capabilities on the ground. “We can continue to strike them, no doubt,” one source said, “but expecting this to be over in two weeks is not realistic.”

Hegseth acknowledged that while Iran’s attack frequency has decreased, the threat persists. “Yes, they will still launch some missiles, but we will intercept them,” he said, noting that recent activity had reached its lowest level in 24 hours. “They may hide underground, but we will find them.”

Iran’s extensive underground infrastructure is a key factor in preserving its launch capabilities. Over decades, the country has developed vast tunnel and cave networks to conceal military assets in anticipation of conflicts like the current one. In addition, mobile launch systems have been deployed and repositioned frequently, complicating tracking efforts—similar to challenges previously faced by U.S. forces dealing with Houthi fighters in Yemen.

These developments come as the U.S. struggles to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, privately acknowledging that it may not be able to secure the critical shipping route before the conflict ends. Iran’s largely intact coastal missile systems continue to pose a significant threat in this regard.

Meanwhile, although much of Iran’s conventional navy has reportedly been destroyed, the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are believed to retain about half their operational capacity. According to one source, the IRGC still controls “hundreds, if not thousands, of small boats and unmanned surface vessels.”

CENTCOM reported that, as of April 1, more than 155 Iranian vessels had been damaged or destroyed. However, analysts note that it remains unclear which specific naval forces were included in that figure.