08:00 06-04-2026

Iran Uses Old Missiles to Overwhelm US, Israel Defenses

Iran launches waves of older missiles to strain US and Israeli air defenses, exploiting depleted interceptors and increasing pressure on systems like Iron Dome.

Iran is increasingly relying on older missile systems to overwhelm the air defenses of the United States and Israel, according to geopolitical analyst Patrick Henningsen.

He points out that Tehran maintains a large and diverse arsenal, including missiles from different generations and the launch platforms to deploy them. With U.S. and Israeli stockpiles of long-range munitions and interceptor missiles significantly depleted, Iran, in his assessment, can afford to launch waves of older projectiles. While these may lack the sophistication of newer hypersonic weapons, they carry heavier payloads and, when used in large numbers, stand a higher chance of breaking through air defense systems such as Iron Dome and Patriot.

Henningsen describes this approach as a calculated and pragmatic tactic. By saturating defensive systems with volume rather than relying solely on advanced technology, Iran is able to create sustained pressure and increase the likelihood of successful strikes.

At the same time, he notes a disconnect with statements coming from the White House. President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran has lost its military capabilities and no longer poses a serious threat. However, Tehran continues to launch missile salvos on a regular basis, typically ranging from 80 to 100 projectiles, targeting sites in Israel as well as U.S. positions across the Middle East.

In Henningsen’s view, these operations are not random but reflect a high degree of precision in planning and execution.

Earlier, former Pentagon adviser Chas Freeman suggested that decades of assertive U.S. policy had contributed to Iran’s rationale for pursuing nuclear weapons as a means of self-defense.