Despite month of bombing, Iran retains some missile capability

Mark Satter, CQ-Roll Call on Mar 31, 2026

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WASHINGTON — Iran has retained some of its ability to launch offensive missile attacks after a month-long U.S.-Israeli bombardment of the country that was intended to cripple Tehran’s military might, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged on Tuesday.

Iran “will still shoot some missiles, but we will shoot them down,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon press briefing.

He added that the past 24 hours saw the lowest number of missiles and drones fired by Iran since the war began, that the morale of the Iranian regime appears to be damaged and that the coming days will be “decisive.”

The war has plunged the region into conflict, as Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes against multiple Arab nations that have targeted industrial, energy and military infrastructure, including U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Those attacks have killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and injured over 300.

Hegseth also said regime change had occurred in Iran, and that the new regime should be wiser than the last. The so-called new regime is said to be led by Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial assault on Iran last month.

It isn’t clear, however, exactly how the Iranian regime is functioning. Conflicting reports have indicated that Khamenei is injured, is in hiding or is solely a figurehead, while others in the Iranian leadership are making decisions.

Hegseth said diplomatic talks with Iran are “real and ongoing,” and characterized them as gaining strength.

Appearing alongside Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said the U.S. had struck over 11,000 targets across Iran over the past month, degrading Iran’s air defenses to the point that the U.S. has begun flying B-52 strategic bombers over the country.

Caine said the U.S. continued to target Iran’s missile, drone and naval production facilities.

The operational update comes amid mounting pressure on the Trump administration to chart a path forward in the war, as the conflict has closed the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, rattling global markets and sending oil prices soaring.

In an early morning social media post, President Donald Trump blasted U.S. allies for refusing to participate in the war, and suggested that nations that now can’t buy jet fuel due to the strait’s closure should either buy American jet fuel or “go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” he said on his social media network, Truth Social.

During the news conference, Hegseth said opening the strait was one goal of ongoing talks with Iran.