Israel Runs Out of Missile Defenses, Iran Not Giving Up

WASHINGTON DC, WEDNESDAY - Israel's stockpile of missiles and anti-aircraft rockets is dwindling. The Israeli air defense system is overwhelmed by Iranian missiles and drones.

US media, The Washington Post, reported the situation on Wednesday (6/18/2025). The newspaper quoted a source who followed the briefing from US-Israeli intelligence.

According to intelligence from both countries, Israel's stockpile of rockets and air defense artillery missiles is only sufficient for a maximum of 12 days, provided that the intensity of Iran's attacks does not decrease.

"They (Israel) must choose which missiles or drones to intercept. The (air defense) system is overwhelmed," said a source who requested to remain anonymous.

Missile defense expert at the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, Tal Inbar, stated that Israel will push for a ceasefire once its reserves of rockets and anti-aircraft missiles are depleted. Israel did this with Hamas in 2014. "This situation could be a catalyst for a ceasefire now," he said.

Israeli rockets and air defense missiles are expensive. Each unit of the Arrow missile launched, one of Israel's air defense systems, costs 3 million US dollars. The Arrow air defense system intercepts Iranian missiles.

Israel cannot rely on the Iron Dome to intercept the increasingly advanced Iranian missiles. "It is as futile as shooting a pistol at the missile," Inbar stated regarding the use of the Iron Dome against Iranian missiles.

On the other hand, the situation in Iran is not any better. The US-Israel estimates that Iran possesses 2,000 missile units capable of reaching Israel. Some of the missiles and their launchers are reported to have been destroyed by Israel.

One indication of this is that the scale of Iran's attacks has decreased. Since last Friday, Iran has launched at least 400 missiles. The daily number has continued to decline, although the number hitting their targets has increased.

"Iran must make very difficult calculations because their missile stock is limited. Considering the intensity of the firing, they cannot quickly replenish their reserves," said researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Fabian Hinz.

The number of missiles fired by Iran is now lower compared to April and October 2024. In October 2024, Iran launched 200 missiles in a single day. Currently, the number has decreased from 150 to just a few units per day.

A researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Jim Lamson, stated that Iran is struggling to add new missiles and launchers. This is due to the damage sustained by some of its production facilities. "They will have difficulty rebuilding their missile capabilities," he said.

Iranian media, Tasnim, reported Iran's capacity that Israel and its allies do not really understand. Iran has many Shahab-3 and Fattah-110 missiles that can reach Israel. The entire territory of Israel can be targeted by these missiles with a maximum range of 1,500 kilometers.

Iran's retaliatory attacks since Friday have shown that Israel's air defense layer is ineffective, partly due to Iran's tactical ingenuity.

Tehran has deployed various variants of the Shaheed unmanned aerial vehicles. Although they carry explosives, the primary function of these aircraft is to disrupt air defense systems. The attacks are carried out by missiles that carry larger warheads.

Tasnim reported that the effectiveness of Iranian missiles is being concealed by Israeli media and its allies. Israeli media and the state are censoring the impacts of attacks and the advantages of Iranian missiles.

Israeli media, Times of Israel, reported that the police are now pursuing anyone who disseminates recordings of the impact of the Iranian missile attacks. In addition, foreign media are prohibited from broadcasting the effects of the Iranian attacks unless the report material has been censored by Israel.

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded to the ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump. "The Iranian nation is ready for war, and also ready for peace. This nation will not surrender to anyone," he stated in a speech broadcast on Wednesday afternoon.

Iran is a smart and great nation. "History records that Iran cannot be threatened and never surrenders. The US should know that any kind of US military involvement will cause severe damage to them," he continued as quoted by Tasnim.

He emphasized that Iran was attacked by Israel amid peace negotiations offered by the United States. Iran has shown no hostility whatsoever. "From the beginning, we suspected that the United States was involved in the atrocities of this Zionist regime. With a series of Iranian officials, this suspicion has strengthened," he said.

According to him, the involvement of the United States in Israel's attack on Iran demonstrates Israel's weakness. "Those who understand the regional situation know that an attack on Iran will ultimately destroy themselves," he continued.

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) researcher Ellie Geranmayeh stated that Trump is now in a difficult position. Trump must choose between going to war or continuing diplomatic efforts. "Trump can avoid war with Iran," she told CNN.

He stated that Trump's statement is equivalent to a declaration of war against Iran. The U.S. attack on Iran will not be able to control its impacts. "It could undermine all of Trump's terms and legacy," he said.

Iran will not surrender, even though it knows it will not win this war. "They (Iran) will only ensure that they will not be the only ones to lose," he said (AP/AFP).