Iran Says It Has Launched More Than 4,000 Drones and Missiles in Retaliation Against the U.S. and Israel

Mar 20, 2026

Iran Says It Has Launched More Than 4,000 Drones and Missiles in Retaliation Against the U.S. and Israel

Iran says it has launched more than 4,000 drones and missiles in retaliation against the United States and Israel, while insisting its missile stockpile remains far from depleted.

An Iranian missile launch (Photo: Tasnim News Agency)

Ali Mohammad Naeini, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said Tehran has fired roughly 700 missiles and 3,600 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at U.S. and Israeli targets since the conflict erupted more than two weeks ago.

“The missiles currently being used were produced a decade ago. Many of the missiles we have manufactured—from the 12-day war until the Ramadan conflict—have yet to be deployed,” Naeini said, referring to last year’s hostilities and the current fighting.

The IRGC statement did not provide specifics on launch timelines, targeted locations, or the extent of damage inflicted.

According to the IRGC, the strikes have focused on key Israeli infrastructure tied to the country’s military and defense industries, as well as concentrations of Israeli forces.

Naeini said Iran’s armed forces possess detailed intelligence and are capable of striking any adversary target with precision.

He outlined a broad target set, including “command centers, research and scientific facilities, defense ministries, military-industrial complexes, air bases, army headquarters, troop assembly sites, radar systems, ports, and energy infrastructure.”

“If they approach our facilities, we will immediately target theirs,” he warned.

The United States and Israel have been conducting a large-scale military campaign against Iran since Feb. 28. Airstrikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several senior Iranian officials.

U.S. and Israeli officials say the campaign has significantly degraded Iran’s missile capabilities and its nuclear development program. Both countries have signaled the conflict could continue for several more weeks.

Iran has carried out retaliatory operations targeting Israeli positions as well as U.S. military bases and diplomatic facilities in the Gulf region.

Tehran has indicated it is prepared for a prolonged conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country has neither sought a ceasefire nor proposed negotiations with Washington.

“We have never requested a ceasefire and have not proposed negotiations. Iran is ready to defend itself for as long as necessary,” Araghchi said.

The claims have not been independently verified.

Earlier, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, citing an IRGC statement, reported that Tehran carried out its 54th wave of retaliatory missile strikes against Israel on March 15 as part of “Operation True Promise 4.”

According to the IRGC, the latest wave included launches of Khorramshahr heavy missiles, reportedly equipped with a 2-ton warhead, along with Khaybar-shekan, Qadr, and Emad missiles.

The statement added that, for the first time in the campaign, Iran deployed the Sejjil solid-fuel strategic missile to target command and decision-making centers affecting Israel’s air operations.

U.S. National Debt Surges Past $39 Trillion Weeks Into Iran Conflict The U.S. national debt has officially crossed a record $39 trillion as of March 18, a milestone reached just weeks after the outbreak of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. U.S. national debt officially surpasses a record $39 trillion on March 18. Photo: AP The rapid increase underscores the pace of borrowing in recent months, with debt hitting $38 trillion just five months ago and $37 trillion only two months earlier. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said the war in Iran has already cost the U.S. more than $12 billion, with no clear end in sight. The unprecedented figure highlights competing policy priorities within the administration — including a sweeping tax agenda, increased defense spending, stricter immigration enforcement, and efforts to rein in federal debt — a goal President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, rising federal debt is already impacting Americans through higher borrowing costs for homes and vehicles, reduced wage growth as businesses scale back investment, and rising prices for goods and services. Fiscal policy experts warn that sustained borrowing and growing interest payments could force the U.S. into difficult budgetary decisions in the years ahead.