Did you know there are about 10,000 ballistic missiles out there? They could potentially create destruction comparable to or even surpassing that of a Hiroshima-style atomic bomb.
Leading up to Israel’s recent attacks on Iranian territory, notably in June 2025, Iran was aggressively ramping up its production of precision-guided ballistic missiles. This wasn’t just speculation; Iran was gearing up to inundate Israeli airspace with thousands of advanced rockets, all designed to outmatch Israel’s multi-layered defense systems, such as Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome.
The Editor-in-Chief at a prominent outlet noted that the preemptive strike stemmed from clear-headed assessments made by Israeli intelligence and military leaders. Israel had been facing not only the threat of nuclear capabilities from Iran but was also on the brink of confronting an arsenal capable of crippling its economy and overwhelming its defenses, leading to mass civilian casualties.
Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani previously labeled Israel “a nation.” Today, it feels more relevant to say Israel has become a “country of 10,000 missiles.”
Veteran Israeli journalist Ron Ben Ishy pointed out that Israeli intelligence evaluated Iran’s capacity to potentially manufacture 10,000 ballistic missiles comparable in destructive power to two nuclear bombs. While there was hope that Israel’s strike on an Iranian solid fuel production site in October 2024 might slow down the program, that seems to have been overly optimistic, as Iran instead increased its production rates.
Later statements from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Iran was moving towards mass-producing missiles on an industrial scale. They could even produce intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching Europe.
An Israeli official remarked, “We acted against two existential threats: one was nuclear… the other ballistic… and that threat was as significant to us as a nuclear bomb.”
While global attention has largely been on uranium enrichment, Israeli intelligence has identified Iran’s accumulation of ballistic missiles as an equally pressing threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly pointed to Iran’s missile expansion as the driving factor behind the June 2025 operation.
However, media coverage of the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel mainly highlighted a few Iranian missiles that managed to breach Israeli defenses. What’s concerning is that there’s a broader strategic reality at play. Iran has developed missile capabilities that could saturate advanced defense systems.
This raises questions about ongoing efforts by President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, who may be looking into a nuclear-only agreement with Iran. Israeli defense and intelligence officials are wary of any negotiations that neglect to impose restrictions on missile development. Even though Trump has refrained from offering sanctions relief or monetary incentives, there are still worries that the U.S. might contemplate deals that fail to address Iran’s growing missile capabilities.
This isn’t just a theoretical issue. Iran has adopted an aggressive military posture following major confrontations in 2024 and 2025. Unlike the short-range rockets used by proxy groups like Hezbollah, Iran’s domestically produced missiles have longer ranges and are far more destructive.
A nuclear-only deal that overlooks Iran’s missile initiatives may not be the best diplomatic strategy. It could be a form of strategic self-deception. Such an agreement could empower Tehran’s regime, undermine Israel’s deterrence, and likely exacerbate regional tensions.
Reports indicate that Iranian missile stockpiles are dispersed across hardened bunkers, urban areas, and remote mountain ranges. These assets won’t simply vanish because of diplomatic agreements. Addressing this threat requires ongoing diplomatic pressure, rigorous inspections, enforceable restrictions, and consequences for any violations. Iran is unlikely to readily consent to such measures.
Let’s hope claims about flawed nuclear negotiations that exclude discussions on missile threats are incorrect. If they’re not, it’s crucial for Congress and the American public to grasp the stakes involved. A comprehensive agreement should eliminate all paths to escalation by Iran, not just the nuclear avenues. Ignoring Iran’s missile program in negotiations represents a strategic blunder for the U.S. and poses an existential risk to its ally, Israel.
