May 13, 2026
Missile impossible? Commenters say nope
U.S. Intelligence Shows Iran Retains Substantial Missile Capabilities
Leaks say Iran’s missiles are still very much in play — and commenters are calling the spin a total clown show
TLDR: U.S. intelligence says Iran still has most of its missile strength and access to nearly all key launch sites, despite public claims that it was badly crippled. Online, readers are fighting over whether this proves officials misled the public, the media is spinning the story, or the answer is even more military action.
The big reveal in the report is simple and unsettling: U.S. intelligence says Iran still has access to 30 of 33 missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints, and has kept about 70 percent of its missiles and mobile launchers. Translation for non-military readers: despite public victory-lap talk, Iran’s ability to strike targets and threaten ships apparently wasn’t wiped out at all.
But the real fireworks are in the comments, where readers are split between “obviously” and “absolutely not buying this.” One camp treated the news like the least surprising plot twist ever, arguing that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — its powerful military arm — is built to survive exactly this kind of attack by hiding equipment and spreading it around. Another camp went straight for the political jugular, with sarcastic replies mocking the idea that a president might ever stretch the truth online. Ouch.
Then came the full internet buffet: one commenter demanded, basically, hit them again, while another called the whole public messaging effort a parade of buffoonery, blasting years of contradictory warnings about Iran. And yes, there was the classic media-trust food fight too, with skeptics waving off the story as the New York Times trying to make the administration look bad. So the mood is clear: fear, cynicism, chest-thumping, and dark humor all battling for the top comment spot.
Key Points
- •Classified U.S. intelligence assessments from early May reportedly found Iran’s military capabilities are stronger than public Trump administration statements suggested.
- •Iran has restored operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report.
- •Only three of the missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz were described as totally inaccessible.
- •The assessments say Iran still retains about 70 percent of its mobile launchers nationwide.
- •Iran has kept roughly 70 percent of its prewar missile stockpile, including ballistic missiles and a smaller number of cruise missiles.