The ongoing war in the Middle East has entered a critical phase, with fresh US intelligence assessments revealing that a large percentage of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles remain intact, allowing Tehran to continue its control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Missile capability still largely intact
According to recent intelligence findings cited by multiple reports, many of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles have not been significantly degraded despite weeks of US and Israeli strikes.
These systems are crucial because they are specifically designed to:
- Target commercial shipping
- Hit naval vessels in narrow waterways
- Enforce maritime blockades
In addition, intelligence suggests that nearly half of Iran’s missile launchers and drone capacity remain operational, highlighting the resilience of its military infrastructure.
Why this matters for the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical oil transit chokepoints in the world, handling a significant share of global energy flows.
Iran’s intact missile systems enable it to:
- Maintain a credible threat to any passing vessel
- Enforce a selective or full blockade of the strait
- Deter US and allied naval movements
Even after heavy bombardment, Iran has demonstrated the ability to continue disrupting shipping and controlling access, with maritime traffic still severely reduced.
Why strikes haven’t fully neutralised Iran
Despite thousands of strikes on military targets:
- Many missile systems are mobile or hidden underground
- Coastal batteries are hard to detect and destroy
- Iran’s strategy relies on distributed and redundant systems
This has made it difficult for US-led forces to completely eliminate the threat.
Global impact already visible
The continued closure or restriction of Hormuz is:
- Disrupting global oil supply chains
- Driving volatility in energy markets
- Forcing countries to explore alternate supply routes
Notably, even US leadership has acknowledged that reopening the strait may require multinational coordination rather than unilateral action.
Bottom line
The latest intelligence underscores a key reality:
Iran’s military capability—especially its coastal missile systems—remains strong enough to sustain pressure on global shipping routes.
As long as these systems remain operational, the Strait of Hormuz is likely to stay contested, restricted, or effectively closed, keeping global markets and geopolitics on edge.