Women walk past a ballistic missile launcher in Tehran on February 11, 2026, during a gathering marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. (Credit: AFP)
Throughout the recent war, images of Iranian projectiles crossing the sky above the Gulf and Israel multiplied, illustrating Tehran's ability not only to endure an unprecedentedly intense U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, but also to retaliate with long-range strikes. Explosive drones and ballistic missiles have thus become emblematic of the Islamic Republic's military capabilities. Yet behind these images lies a more nuanced reality: that of a military apparatus whose infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and chain of command have been severely affected, raising many questions about the future of Iran's defense strategy.To assess the current state of Iran's military capabilities, the evolution of its ballistic missile program, and the lessons Tehran is likely to draw from this war, L'Orient-Le Jour...
Throughout the recent war, images of Iranian projectiles crossing the sky above the Gulf and Israel multiplied, illustrating Tehran's ability not only to endure an unprecedentedly intense U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, but also to retaliate with long-range strikes. Explosive drones and ballistic missiles have thus become emblematic of the Islamic Republic's military capabilities. Yet behind these images lies a more nuanced reality: that of a military apparatus whose infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and chain of command have been severely affected, raising many questions about the future of Iran's defense strategy.To assess the current state of Iran's military capabilities, the evolution of its ballistic missile program, and the lessons Tehran is likely to draw from this war, L'Orient-Le Jour...
