The latest Iranian strikes have shown a clear improvement in Tehran’s combat capabilities as US interceptor missile stocks continue to shrink, according to The New York Times.

The newspaper’s analysts said Iran has refined its methods for getting through American air defences. Tehran used drones and missiles against US bases in Jordan in an effort to overload and break through defensive systems. According to the report, Iranian forces succeeded on the fifth day of the attacks.

The NYT also highlighted missiles capable of making abrupt changes in trajectory. Iran targeted defensive elements around the bases, forcing US crews to expend limited stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles.

The authors said the strikes reflect the convergence of two dangerous trends. On one side, Iran is becoming a more experienced opponent as the conflict develops, improving its ability to bypass US air defences, expanding military activity across the Middle East and drawing in allies.

At the same time, Pentagon interceptor stocks are declining, making these weapons increasingly valuable as the conflict continues to flare up periodically.

The New York Times argued that the combination of these factors shows how even a global military superpower can face serious constraints when a weaker opponent relies on asymmetric tactics and systematically looks for vulnerabilities in its defences.