Trump: Iran Has About 20 Percent of Its Missiles Left

Iran still possesses approximately one-fifth of its missile arsenal, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview with NBC News, Trump stated that most of Iran's drone factories and missile production capabilities have been rendered inoperable. "But they have some missiles, they have some drones," Trump said, estimating that Iran has "maybe 21-22 percent of their missiles left. It's still a lot of missiles, but it's not the same as at the beginning of the war."

Negotiations between Iran and the United States to end the conflict, which began on February 28th, are ongoing. An initial ceasefire agreement in April has been extended multiple times. Trump believes that while Iranian leaders have not yet finalized a deal with the U.S., they will ultimately need to reach an agreement. "They are strong, they are proud, and there are things they never imagined they would have to do, which they now have to do. They have no choice, and that kind of thing takes a little time," Trump told NBC News.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have recently escalated, with both nations engaging in attacks near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated that the American bombardments were acts of self-defense following Iranian attacks on ships near the strait. "If they don't shoot at these ships, we don't shoot either, but we have to react," Rubio said on Wednesday in the House of Representatives, according to NBC News. The conflict in Iran had led to a near-complete shutdown of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in early March, a critical chokepoint for oil exports from the Gulf states, causing global energy prices to surge.

Trump also criticized those urging him to quickly finalize a deal with Iran to end the conflict. "That kind of thing takes years," Trump said, comparing the conflict's duration to the Vietnam War. "I act very quickly. I'm only three months into this. Vietnam lasted 19 years. I'm in my third month, and all people say is: 'When are you going to win?'" He added, "If I were a Democrat, nobody would talk like that, but it doesn't matter to me. I've gotten so used to it."

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But they have some missiles, they have some drones.