- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Iran launched missiles toward Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh after the United States and Israel began coordinated airstrikes on the Islamic Republic, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
The confrontation stems from long-standing frictions between the West and Iran over its nuclear programme and ballistic missile development, both of which have remained central points of dispute.
ALSO READ: 'All I Want Is Freedom For Iranian People': Trump Clears Intent Behind Strike On Iran In Big Remarks
Iran possesses a range of ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel. Among them is the Khorramshahr-4, with an estimated range of 2,000 kilometres, allowing it to strike targets across Israel. While many incoming missiles can be intercepted by air defence systems, analysts note that even attempted strikes can have significant psychological and political impact.
The exact size of Iran’s missile stockpile remains unclear. Many of its missiles are believed to be stored in underground silos across the country to reduce vulnerability to pre-emptive strikes.
According to past assessments by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran had around 3,000 missiles of various types, including ballistic and cruise missiles, as of 2022. Defence analysts have used that figure as a reference point in evaluating subsequent conflicts.
Iran reportedly launched hundreds of missiles at Israel in 2024 and again in June 2025, actions that may have reduced its stockpile. However, experts say the precise number of remaining missiles is unknown.
ALSO READ: Indian Families Take Shelter As Missile Alerts Sweep Israel; Schools Shut, Gatherings Banned
Publicly available assessments from defence think tanks suggest Iran may currently have around 1,500 missiles left in its arsenal. The number of operational launchers is even harder to determine, with estimates ranging widely between 100 and 350.
As tensions escalate, the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s remaining capabilities continues to add to regional security concerns.