Politico: US faces challenges in striking Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles

The US military is facing increasing difficulty in targeting Iran’s remaining ballistic missile stockpiles due to their storage in heavily fortified facilities, according to an article published by Politico.

The report notes that the Pentagon is running out of strategically significant targets in Iran for airstrikes. A source cited in the article, a former US official, said: “The problem is there are few military sites accessible now without a ground invasion.” Remaining missile stockpiles are increasingly hard to strike, as they are likely stored in reinforced bunkers.

Another source added that the effectiveness of US strikes is gradually declining, creating a politically delicate situation for President Donald Trump: “He’ll be humiliated if he leaves; and we’ll be in a quagmire if he stays.”

Politico also highlights Tehran’s strategy of waiting for US forces to withdraw, noting that it is partially succeeding. This has contributed to rising energy costs, increasing pressure on the Trump administration to resolve the conflict to avoid domestic backlash.

Sources suggested that Iran could gain enough leverage to refuse negotiations on its nuclear programme, regional security, or shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, on April 2, President Trump stated in a televised address that the military operation against Iran was nearing completion and that its objectives were nearly achieved. He emphasised that the US is prepared to target Iran’s power plants and oil infrastructure if Tehran refuses an agreement, and noted that restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is the responsibility of other countries, not the US.

By Vugar Khalilov