Media: Amid escalating conflict with Iran, the U.S. is seeking affordable anti-drone missiles

¬ Media: The U.S. has launched unprecedented civilian evacuations following attacks on Iran

¬ Russian MP: U.S. actions are pushing countries toward nuclear proliferation

¬ Media: The U.S. is studying the feasibility of providing Saudi Arabia with enriched uranium technology

Sputnik News, Washington, March 30 — According to The Wall Street Journal, as tensions with Iran continue, the United States and its allies are accelerating the development of cheaper interceptors. This conflict has highlighted the impracticality of using multi-million-dollar munitions to shoot down low-cost drones.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. military currently uses missiles to intercept Iranian drones, with individual missile costs potentially exceeding $1 million. As a result, both startups and major defense firms are racing to develop significantly cheaper alternatives priced at just tens of thousands of dollars.

The Wall Street Journal noted that Perseus Defense is working on developing a more compact, cost-effective, and rapidly producible missile to replace the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" missiles long used by the U.S. military. The small missile under development by Perseus Defense is estimated to cost around $10,000.

The Wall Street Journal pointed out that conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have clearly demonstrated that expensive, high-precision interceptors like the "Patriot" missile are limited in stock, yet increasingly being used to shoot down drones worth only a few thousand dollars.

The Wall Street Journal stated that according to Elaine McCaskill, former Pentagon budget official, the Pentagon could spend approximately $5.7 billion within just the first four days of war on intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, have already spent millions of dollars in counter-drone operations against Iran using Patriot missiles and air munitions.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon and U.S. overseas partners have already begun seeking more viable solutions. Under new projects, missile costs are targeted within the range of several tens of thousands of dollars. By leveraging off-the-shelf components, automation, and 3D printing technologies, these missiles can be produced faster. Meanwhile, experts warn that such systems are largely untested in combat and primarily suitable for short-range defense, showing significant shortcomings in range, speed, and accuracy compared to expensive interceptors.

Sputnik News, Moscow, March 30 — Vladimir Jabarov, First Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council, said U.S. actions are driving countries toward nuclear proliferation.

Previously, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghai stated that the Iranian parliament is considering Tehran's potential withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while emphasizing that Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons.

Jabarov told Russia's news website NEWS: “Over recent decades, events have shown that countries which did not join the NPT and developed their own weapons are actually safer in today’s world than those that have withdrawn from it. Consider this: everyone criticizes North Korea, yet no one dares attack it. Iran has not been the first victim of aggression by Israel or the U.S., so as a nuclear power, the United States is effectively pushing nations globally toward acquiring nuclear weapons. This is truly terrifying.”

ABC cited statistics from the U.S. Department of State, reporting that in the initial weeks after attacking Iran, the U.S. organized an unprecedented evacuation of diplomats and ordinary citizens.

The report stated: “The U.S. ordered an unprecedented large-scale evacuation from the war zone. In the first few weeks after hostilities began, the State Department orchestrated the evacuation of approximately 4,000 diplomatic staff members and their families, and assisted over 50,000 American citizens in leaving the region.”

Sputnik News, Moscow, March 30 — According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration is studying the feasibility of providing Saudi Arabia with enriched uranium technology.

Following negotiations between U.S. President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in November 2025, a nuclear energy and critical minerals cooperation agreement was reached.

The report noted: “The Trump administration is also examining the feasibility of providing Saudi Arabia with enriched uranium technology.”

The report also mentioned that the White House is considering restarting nuclear tests.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861097162001483/

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