Iran has mostly replenished its missile stockpiles: Western intelligence
June 15, 2026 5 Comments
IRAN USED THE EIGHT-week ceasefire with the United States and Israel to replenish its military arsenal to at least three-quarters of its pre-war levels, according to Western intelligence estimates. Tehran has been able to incorporate substantial supplies of Russian-built weapons to its firepower and could easily reach 100 percent of its pre-war arsenal capacity soon, according to reports.
The latest estimates directly contradict earlier assessments by the administration of US President Donald Trump, which claims Iran’s military firepower has been obliterated in the past three months. In March, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Iran’s offensive capability had been reduced by as much as 90 percent. Earlier this month, President Trump claimed that Iran’s missile arsenal stood at 60 percent of its pre-war level.
However, Western intelligence estimates now suggest that the Iranian regime’s ability to replenish its military arsenal has been far more advanced than presumed by its adversaries. In a related development, the Reuters news agency reported last week that the United Arab Emirates directly approached Tehran and offered to pay it in return for not being attacked again.
According to Reuters, the UAE agreed to give Iran between $10 and $20 billion in return for halting its attacks on the Gulf state. The news agency claimed that $3 billion of the earmarked funds had already been delivered to Tehran. In a subsequent statement, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the Reuters report as “entirely false and unfounded” and stated that no funds had been “released, transferred or facilitated through the UAE”.
► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 15 June 2026 | Permalink
intelNews.org 
It seems that after more than 3 years of Iran supplying drones to Russia for Russia’s war against Ukraine Russia has returned the favour in supplying missiles to Iran.
Trump’s early March 2026 hope https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-israel-irgc-war-immunity/33696640.html Iran’s Revolutionary Guards would “lay down their arms” and “abandon the country’s ruling clerical establishment.” seems absurd, ahistorical and perhaps based on false intelligence from Mossad. Maybe Netanyahu has too much influence over Trump?
Its interesting the UAE (and maybe other Gulf States?) are willing to bribe Iran not to hurt it, or them.
Come on Pete, ease up on the kool-aid. How can Russia get the missiles into Iran? Think, don’t drink! just more anti bias coming from Reuters. How’s the Iran air force and navy weathering the storm…
Hiding behind Anonymity of June 16, 2026 at 22:02
See “Russia’s Wartime Support for Iran” of June 3, 2026 at https://mei.edu/policymemo/russias-wartime-support-for-iran/
and “Iran signs ‘secret’ $700m deal for Russian air defence [manpad missile] systems, reports say” of Feb 25, 2026 at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-25/iran-missile-defence-deal-russia-verba-manpad-weapons/106380088
Cheers Pete
A bit of context:
“Since early 2026, Russian and Chinese transport aircraft have been flying into Iran at a high tempo. Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which can carry heavy military loads, have delivered radar systems, electronic equipment and other key components. In one instance, several aircraft landed within two days, indicating a coordinated operation rather than routine supply.
China has expanded this effort with its larger Xi’an Y-20 transport aircraft. Reports indicate multiple flights arriving within short windows, carrying heavy equipment and specialised systems. Commercial cargo aircraft, including modified Boeing 747s, are also part of this network. These flights often disappear from tracking systems before reaching Iranian airspace, suggesting deliberate efforts to avoid monitoring.
The key detail is what these aircraft are carrying. Instead of complete weapons systems, they are delivering parts, modules and tools. This allows Iran to upgrade existing systems without attracting the attention that comes with visible deployments of tanks or missile batteries.
Since early 2026, Russian and Chinese transport aircraft have been flying into Iran at a high tempo. Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which can carry heavy military loads, have delivered radar systems, electronic equipment and other key components.
In one instance, several aircraft landed within two days, indicating a coordinated operation rather than routine supply.
China has expanded this effort with its larger Xi’an Y-20 transport aircraft. Reports indicate multiple flights arriving within short windows, carrying heavy equipment and specialised systems. Commercial cargo aircraft, including modified Boeing 747s, are also part of this network.
Both Russian and Chinese flights often disappear from tracking systems before reaching Iranian airspace, suggesting deliberate efforts to avoid monitoring.
The key detail is what these aircraft are carrying. Instead of complete weapons systems, they are delivering parts, modules and tools.
This allows Iran to upgrade existing systems without attracting the attention that comes with visible deployments of tanks or missile batteries.
This approach also avoids sanctions. By shipping components instead of finished systems, China and Russia reduce political exposure. It is harder to prove violations and easier to deny involvement. Flights using third-country registrations and irregular routes add another layer of distance between supplier and recipient.