New York Times report contradicts Trump's claims about Iran's military

May 13, 2026

A New York Times report says Iran kept most of its military power despite US strikes, which is bad news for Trump's "obliteration" story and for US military readiness.

  • Iran still has 70% of its missile stockpile, 70% of mobile launchers, and access to 30 of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.
  • 90% of Iran's underground missile facilities are partly or fully operational again, including one bombed 20 times that resumed work within hours.
  • The US burned through huge shares of its key weapons, including 80% of THAAD interceptors and more than half of Patriot interceptors, with years of production needed to refill.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress the US could militarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which analysts call a clear lie since the US lacks the capability.
  • Colonel Daniel Davis warns Russian officials are openly pushing Putin to strike European military targets and even consider tactical nuclear weapons, while US arsenals sit depleted from arming Ukraine.
  • A separate story: USC has been selling donated US cadavers to the Navy, which uses them to train Israeli military medics, without telling donors or families.

Outlook: The US is unlikely to restart the Iran war soon because its stockpiles are too low, but the weakened arsenal raises the risk of a worse outcome if conflict widens to Russia or China.

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