Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Netanyahu: If Lebanese Army takes steps to disarm Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including phased reduction of Israeli military presence in Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Photojournalist Houssam Al-Masri martyred, reporters Hatem Omar, Mohammad Ashraf Salameh injured in Israeli strike on Nasser Medical Complex.
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace

'Israel' is firing interceptors faster than it can produce them: NYT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The New York Times
  • 19 Jun 2025 17:37
5 Min Read

Although "Israel" possesses a world-class missile defense system, its supply of interceptors remains limited.

Listen
  • x
  • Can 'Israel's' interceptors outlast Iranian missiles: NYT
    Rescue workers and military personnel inspect the site of a direct hit from an Iranian missile strike in Ramat Gan, occupied Palestine, on June 19, 2025 (AP)

Beyond the potential game-changing impact of a US military intervention, two key factors will likely determine the duration of the Israeli war on Iran: the number of long-range missiles Iran possesses and "Israel’s" stockpile of interceptors, The New York Times reported.

According to the American daily newspaper, "Israel" is depleting its interceptors faster than it can produce them, prompting growing concern within the Israeli security establishment. According to eight current and former officials, there is rising anxiety over whether "Israel’s" supply of air defense missiles will run out before Iran exhausts its missiles.

Already, the Israeli military has begun prioritizing the protection of densely populated areas and critical infrastructure, according to those officials, most of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Interceptors aren’t grains of rice,” said Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav, a former commander of "Israel’s" air defense and a current military reservist. “The number is finite.” Conserving interceptors is a "challenge", he divulged.

As Iran continues to strike inside occupied territories, "Israel" is rapidly depleting its air defense resources. By Wednesday morning, Iran had launched approximately 400 missiles, of which around 40 penetrated Israeli defenses and struck targets, the NYT claimed.

Since multiple interceptors may have targeted some missiles, the total number used remains unknown. Israeli officials have declined to reveal how many interceptors remain, citing national security concerns.

This attritional missile exchange is testing both sides’ endurance. "Israel’s" capacity to sustain a prolonged war could hinge not only on interceptor reserves but also on whether President Trump chooses to escalate the war by attacking Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, or whether Iran halts enrichment to avoid US involvement.

Related News

US seeks submission, 'Israel' must be isolated: Khamenei

Iran warns of surprise military hardware in case of renewed aggression

'Israel’s' air defenses layered, but strained

"Israel's" air defense relies on a layered system of at least seven technologies designed to intercept threats at various ranges and altitudes. These systems are largely automated, using radar to detect incoming missiles and offering interception suggestions to operators, though in some cases, officers must decide without automated guidance, according to Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav.

For long-range threats, the Arrow system engages missiles at high altitudes, while David’s Sling handles them at lower altitudes. The Iron Dome is used primarily for short-range rockets, often from Gaza, or for debris from intercepted missiles. The US has also provided at least two additional systems, including ship-based interceptors in the Mediterranean. "Israel" is simultaneously testing a new laser-based defense system, and fighter jets are tasked with taking out drones.

Despite these robust defenses, the toll is mounting. Iranian missiles still struck their intended targets directly. With "Israel’s" missile interceptors in limited supply, there’s growing concern that the military may soon have to ration their use, reserving them for key sites like the Dimona nuclear facility or military command centers in Tel Aviv.

Launchers, not missiles, are Iran's strength

Some Israeli officials believe "Israel" should now capitalize on recent military successes. “Israel has a window of two or three days to declare the victory and end the war,” said Zohar Palti, a former senior Mossad officer. The longer the war drags on, the greater the risk that "Israel’s" defense systems will be overwhelmed.

Some Israeli officials and military analysts believe the key to neutralizing Iran’s missile threat lies not in depleting its stockpile, but in eliminating its ability to launch them. Iran relies on a mix of fixed and mobile missile launchers, many of which are spread across the country, with some stored in underground bunkers and others in exposed aboveground caches, according to two Israeli officials.

So far, "Israel" alleges to have destroyed more than a third of these launchers, a figure US officials say has significantly reduced Iran’s capacity to conduct large-scale missile barrages. The strikes have allegedly disrupted Iran’s launch infrastructure more than its missile inventory itself.

but fact on the ground suggest otherwise. Just this morning, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out the 14th wave of strikes targeting strategic sites in the Israeli occupation entity as part of Operation True Promise 3. Israeli media described the attack as "the largest Iranian missile barrage on Israel in recent days," which debunks the claim that "Israel's" strikes on Iran significantly reduced Iran’s capacity to conduct large-scale missile barrages.

Asaf Cohen, a former Israeli military intelligence commander, said the main issue is the number of launchers rather than the number of missiles.

Cohen added that Iran may shift tactics, opting for sporadic harassment strikes involving one or two missiles at a time, targeting multiple areas to stretch Israeli air defenses. 

  • Iran
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Tehran
  • Iron Dome
  • David's sling
  • war on Iran
War on Iran

War on Iran

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS