Iran’s Missile Barrage Tests Whether US Has Enough Interceptors
Intercepted projectiles targeting the US base located at Erbil International Airport in Erbil, Iraq, on Feb. 28.
Photographer: Ahsan Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed/Anadolu/Getty ImagesThe ability of the US, Israel and Gulf Arab states to weather Iran’s retaliatory strikes will depend on how many missile interceptors they have — and stocks are most likely dangerously low after intense combat with the Islamic Republic last year.
Tehran’s main means of offensive operations is long-range attacks with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, all of which it launched after Israeli strikes in June 2025.