Israel Estimates Iran Holds Over 1,000 Missiles, Hezbollah Has Up to 10,000 — Bloomberg

Israeli intelligence has disclosed new information revealing that Iran, despite several weeks of warfare, maintains an arsenal of over 1,000 ballistic missiles that can strike Israeli territory. This data was shared during military briefings conducted by Israeli military officials, who indicate that even after more than five weeks of fighting, Israel is preparing for a potentially extended standoff. Notably, this assessment pertains not only to Iran's missile capabilities but also to the significant stockpiles held by Hezbollah, which enable continued shelling from the Lebanese front.

According to a report by Bloomberg, an officer from the Israeli Air Force confirmed in an interview with Channel 12 that Iran still possesses over 1,000 ballistic missiles capable of targeting Israel. Additionally, Israeli military radio assessed Hezbollah's arsenal to be between 8,000 to 10,000 short-range missiles. This disclosure marks a significant public departure from previous practices where Israeli officials refrained from revealing such estimates.

The publication also notes that prior to the current phase of the conflict, Iranian analysts estimated that Iran had approximately 2,000 medium-range ballistic missiles. If these estimates are accurate, a substantial portion of this arsenal may have already been utilized or lost; however, the remaining stock is still sufficient to sustain military operations over an extended period. This conclusion arises from the comparison between pre-war and current Israeli assessments presented by the agency.

In light of these evaluations, Israel is gradually preparing to combine defensive measures with a partial return to civilian life, as reported by Bloomberg. Authorities plan to resume in-person education, expand air travel, and partially normalize daily life in the country, despite the persistent high level of missile threat.

It is important to note that the war between the United States and Israel against Iran commenced on February 28, following a joint operation known as Epic Fury, which resulted in the elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation for these strikes, Iran began launching ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, as well as targeting Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Attacks on U.S. military bases were also reported.

On March 28, Reuters reported that one month after the initiation of military operations against Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump faced a challenging decision—whether to strike a potentially flawed deal to end the war or risk escalation that could lead to a protracted conflict. On March 31, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was prepared to conclude the war against Iran even if the currently blocked Strait of Hormuz remained closed.

According to U.S. intelligence, Tehran is unlikely to agree to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the near future. On April 3, the U.S. lost two military aircraft in a single day. Iranian forces shot down an F-15E over their territory, resulting in one American pilot being rescued while the other was declared missing. On the same day, an A-10 Warthog was lost near the Strait of Hormuz; its sole pilot was also rescued. Western media reported that this was one of the most serious episodes of escalation, sharply raising the stakes in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

On the same day, The Wall Street Journal reported that efforts by Middle Eastern countries and other regional mediators led by Pakistan to organize ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran had reached an impasse. On April 1, representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened due to the 'absurd statements' made by President Donald Trump and that this waterway remains 'under the firm control of the IRGC.'