A Toothless Iran? Missile and Drone Strikes Show It Can Still Inflict Pain.

Iran has demonstrated sustained capability to conduct missile and drone strikes across the Middle East despite international sanctions and military pressure. The recent wave of attacks indicates Tehran retains the operational capacity to retaliate against perceived threats, contradicting assumptions that years of economic isolation and regional conflict have severely degraded its military infrastructure. The strikes underscore Iran's willingness to project power through proxies and direct military action, a posture with significant implications for regional stability and U.S. Middle East policy. Iran has long relied on asymmetrical warfare tactics—including drone and missile attacks—as a counterweight to adversaries with superior conventional military capabilities. The continued operational tempo raises questions about how the Trump administration will respond and whether further escalation is likely.