Washington: A latest evaluation by the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency reveals that Iran maintains its essential military strengths, rebutting recent declarations from top US figures on the heavy toll inflicted on Tehran’s defenses.
Intelligence Defies Narrative
As detailed in an NBC News report, this intelligence community’s analysis stands in sharp opposition to positions voiced by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The two had contended that Iran’s forces endured irreparable setbacks in latest confrontations.
The assessment holds that, even after recent actions, Iran’s military stays a formidable force in the region, ANI reported.
This runs counter to administration assertions — echoed by NBC News — that Iran’s “air force has been destroyed” and its “navy decimated.”
Pakistan Prompts Ceasefire Pause
Set against the backdrop of internal US intelligence view, President Trump disclosed an additional extension to the Iran ceasefire, following a direct appeal from Pakistan’s leaders to avert an imminent US strike.
The announcement came just before the last deadline lapsed. Terming Iran’s regime as “seriously fractured,” Trump stressed that the naval “blockade” on Iranian ports would endure until Washington obtains a “unified proposal” from Tehran’s authorities.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote that the halt in fighting was approved “upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan.”
He elaborated: the US had “been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”
The President added that he has “directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able,” with the truce lasting “until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Tehran Rejects, Signals Escalation
Iran responded with outright dismissal. Mahdi Mohammadi, adviser to the parliament speaker, brushed off the US overture, declaring that the “losing side cannot dictate terms” and deeming the extension “means nothing” to Iran’s government, while pushing for armed retaliation against American troops.
On X, Mohammadi posted: “Trump’s extension of the ceasefire means nothing” as the “losing side cannot set the terms.” He contended that “continuing the siege is no different from bombing and must be responded to militarily,” cautioning it was probably a ruse for “buying time for a surprise strike” and urging that “it is time for Iran to take the initiative.”
It follows the breakdown of previous negotiations, where an earlier effort at a permanent pact failed amid a marathon “21-hour-long negotiation” in Islamabad that yielded no outcome.
