Iran's Revolutionary Guards Say Missile Production Continues Despite Israeli Claims

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naeini stated that there is “no shortage” in missile production materials and that the country’s missile industry remains fully operational amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Naeini’s comments, reported on March 20, directly rebutted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion from a March 19 news conference that sustained strikes had stripped Iran of its ability to produce ballistic missiles and enrich uranium.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi disputed Netanyahu’s claim, stating that Iran still retains nuclear capabilities despite repeated attacks on key facilities.

The conflicting statements come amid intense military escalation. Israel and the United States have conducted air campaigns against Iranian military, nuclear and energy-linked targets, while Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel and infrastructure in the Gulf region.

The broader conflict has disrupted energy markets and raised fears of a wider regional war. Recent reporting indicates the United States and Israel are not fully aligned on war aims, with U.S. officials focusing more narrowly on missile and naval capabilities, while Israeli leaders frame the campaign in broader strategic terms.

Iran’s insistence on continued missile production aims to project resilience under pressure, while Israel’s claims highlight efforts to demonstrate significant weakening of Tehran’s military-industrial base. The competing narratives underscore challenges in verifying battlefield claims in real time as the war expands.