Israel Running Out of Missile Defenses, Iran Running Out of Missile Launchers

New reports from large mainstream publications have given insight into the state of the Israel-Iran conflict from a munitions standpoint, with reports that Israel is running out of missile interceptors and Iran is hampered in its ability to launch missiles. 

Israel’s Low Defenses: A June 18 report from The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) said “Israel is running low on defensive Arrow interceptors,” and that since the Pentagon has sent more missile defenses to the region, “now there is concern about the US burning through interceptors as well.” The Journal cited a “US official” as its source, who said the US has been aware of the problem for months. The Israel Defense Forces told the Journal, “The IDF is prepared and ready to handle any scenario. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on matters related to munitions.” The Washington Post (Lean Left) reported speaking anonymously to “an individual briefed on US and Israeli intelligence” who said without replenishment from the US, “some assessments project Israel can maintain its missile defense for 10 or 12 more days if Iran maintains a steady tempo of attacks.”

Iran’s Hampered Launch Abilities: On June 17, The Washington Post noted that “Israeli intelligence officials estimated that Iran had about 2,000 missiles capable of traveling 1,200 miles to hit Israel, but a significant fraction” of them were destroyed in Israel’s initial June 13 bombing. It added that Israel said Iran has launched around 400 missiles of its remaining stockpile since Friday and that “Israeli strikes have eliminated 120, or one-third, of Iran’s missile launchers.” A June 17 report from The New York Post (Lean Right) highlighted similar details and also that Israel said over 70 Iranian missile defense systems have been destroyed.

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