South Korean media: Did Trump hesitate over Iran's "2,000 missiles"?... WSJ: "Iran has methods to break through U.S. air defense systems"

Some analysts believe that Iran's firm stance in nuclear talks with the United States is due to its missile capabilities.

On the 8th local time, according to a report by the U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ): "It is speculated that Iran has about 2,000 medium-range ballistic missiles covering the Middle East," and "in addition, the number of short-range missiles capable of attacking U.S. military bases in the Gulf region and ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as anti-ship cruise missiles, is also considerable."

Experts believe that Iran's missile capabilities serve as a "deterrent" against military conflict with the U.S. Because Iran's missile attack capabilities are sufficient to threaten the entire Middle East, making it difficult for the U.S. to easily attack Iran.

Benan Ben Talabro, Chief Executive of the Washington-based think tank "Foundation for Defense of Democracies" (FDD), said: "In the absence of actual air force power and an air defense network, and with nuclear capabilities significantly damaged, ballistic missiles have now become the core of Iran's deterrence." He also said: "These missiles function like a versatile tool, exerting pressure, defense, and punishment simultaneously."

It is reported that the Trump administration also views Iran's missiles as a serious threat. According to WSJ: "Out of concern for Iran's missile retaliation and considering the situation on the ground, the originally planned Iranian attack plan in mid-June was ultimately postponed by President Trump." Subsequently, the U.S. military deployed additional missile defense systems in the Middle East.

At the time of the Islamic Revolution, Iran's missile capabilities were considered weak, but now it is vastly different. Especially during the "Twelve-Day War" in June 2025, the U.S. dropped bunker buster bombs and other weapons that caused severe damage to Iran, but public opinion stated that its main weapon systems remained intact.

Regarding this, WSJ said: "For decades, Iran has been continuously developing ballistic missiles by imitating the technology of Russia and the United States," and "as the war progressed, Iran has mastered the method of breaking through Israel's and the U.S.'s air defense systems and launching more of its own missiles."

According to the report, Iran claims that due to its missile capabilities, the U.S. chose dialogue instead of attacks.

Last week, Major General Yadollah Javani, Political Director of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), publicly introduced a new medium-range ballistic missile and said: "The United States returned to the negotiating table with a 'humble' attitude." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghi stated at a forum held in the capital Tehran: "No one has the right to tell us how to act," and "we will never tolerate [zero enrichment]."

On the 6th, the U.S. and Iran held talks in Muscat, the capital of Oman, to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue. This was eight months after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran's nuclear facilities in June, which had led to the interruption of the talks. At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington D.C. on the 11th to discuss the Iranian nuclear negotiation issue with President Trump.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856810001092608/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.