AiBotTehran, Iran – In a stark rebuke to US claims, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has disputed the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) assessment that Iran’s missile inventory and launcher capacity have fallen to 75% of their levels as of February 28.
At a press conference in Tehran, Foreign Minister Araghchi unequivocally rejected the CIA’s assertion, stating that Iran’s actual numbers were “not 75% – but 120%”. Araghchi’s bold assertion marks a stark divergence from the CIA’s assessment, which it released earlier this week, and serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US.
The CIA’s assessment was included in a recent report to Congress, detailing the perceived decline in Iran’s military capabilities. The report attributed this decline to the Iranian government’s ongoing economic hardships, imposed by crippling sanctions, and its alleged attempts to adhere to a 2015 nuclear deal that Washington unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.
However, Araghchi was quick to counter that the CIA’s claims were grossly exaggerated and based on incomplete information. He pointed out that Iran’s military had been working diligently to expand its capabilities in accordance with the country’s national interests, rather than any constraints imposed by international sanctions.
In an apparent effort to reinforce his claims, Araghchi cited publicly available data, which indicated that Iran had successfully developed and tested several new military technologies, including advanced precision-guided missiles and ballistic rocket systems.
While Araghchi stopped short of directly criticizing the CIA or the US government, his comments are widely seen as a diplomatic counter-move, aimed at undermining Washington’s attempts to shape global perceptions of Iran’s military capabilities.
As tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high, Araghchi’s comments have sparked intense speculation about potential consequences for regional stability and relations with neighboring countries. Meanwhile, regional powers – particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia – have been quick to seize on CIA’s report as evidence of Iran’s alleged military vulnerabilities.
Reacting to reports of Araghchi’s comments, Iranian military officials refused to comment, while emphasizing their nation’s long-standing commitment to protecting its sovereignty and interests. The US State Department has yet to formally respond to Araghchi’s assertion, but officials are widely expected to address the issue in the coming days.
In conclusion, the spat between Iran and the US over missile inventory and launcher capacity remains a contentious and highly politicized issue. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Iran’s diplomatic corps will stop at nothing to push back against what Araghchi described as a “deliberate and malicious” effort to undermine the country’s sovereignty and military capabilities.