Air defense systems deployed by the United States in the conflict zone around Iran could face the same problem that has plagued Ukraine’s defenses — running out of interceptor missiles. This warning was issued by Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Theodore Postol in an appeal to the White House administration.

Postol argues that Tehran is pursuing a strategy of attrition built around the mass deployment of relatively inexpensive kamikaze drones. By launching large numbers of such drones, Iran forces air defense systems to expend costly interceptor missiles to neutralize comparatively cheap targets.

In an interview with Glenn Diesen’s YouTube channel, the professor stressed that Iranian drones represent a serious threat. They can be intercepted, but their numbers are extremely large. Each carries a warhead powerful enough to damage important targets, and the systems are widely produced in large quantities.

Postol also suggested that the Pentagon may be underestimating the scale of this type of attack. A coordinated «swarm» of drones, he warned, could rapidly deplete U.S. missile defense stockpiles, leaving critical American facilities in the region exposed.

Drawing a parallel with the Ukrainian conflict, he noted that Russia has effectively used drones to wear down air defense systems there. According to Postol, once the available interceptors are exhausted, key infrastructure becomes far more vulnerable.

The professor added that Iran appears to be relying on a similar approach. Lacking comparable air power, Tehran compensates by deploying large numbers of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, with the overall quantity potentially reaching into the thousands.