The Washington Post says a U.S. intelligence assessment indicates Iran can withstand months of blockade.
The Washington Post reported that a confidential CIA assessment presented to the White House this week concluded that Iran can withstand at least three to four months of a U.S. naval blockade without facing a severe economic crisis.
According to the report, U.S. intelligence agencies have also estimated that Iran has retained a significant portion of its missile and drone capabilities.
As written by The Washington Post, the U.S. intelligence assessment shows that Iran still possesses about 70% of its missile stockpiles and 75% of its pre-war mobile launchers, and has managed to rebuild or reactivate a large part of its underground facilities.
This report contradicts statements made by Donald Trump, who claimed that Iran’s missile capabilities had been nearly destroyed.
The Washington Post also wrote that U.S. intelligence officials believe Tehran is managing the pressures from the blockade by storing oil on tankers, reducing production in oil fields, and potentially shifting part of its exports overland.
The report states that some American officials believe the Iranian government has an even greater capacity than the CIA estimates to endure long-term economic pressure, and it is unlikely to capitulate to Washington’s demands simply due to the continuation of the blockade.