Iran War Reveals Strengths – And Limits – Of US Missile Defense

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): The war against Iran has highlighted the need for more and better air defense capabilities for America and its allies. This includes interceptor missiles and radar detection and tracking systems.

Interceptor basics: A look at U.S. missile defense weapons and stockpiles. Expert weighs in on how U.S. forces have defended against Iranian drone and ballistic missile attacks since start of Operation Epic Fury.

Fragile web of sensors: How U.S. spots missiles and drones from Iran. Billion-dollar U.S. radar systems have been targeted and damaged across Middle East by Iran, seemingly degrading U.S. defenses.

Defense companies ready to make more interceptors in midst of Operation Epic Fury. What does future arsenal look like?

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

War in Iran is testing strategic limits of tactical military success. Even as U.S. and Israeli airstrikes degrade Iranian capabilities, complex web of global economic and strategic consequences is keeping victory out of reach.

The next betting market. When Operation Epic Fury started, open-source analysts tracked the usual indicators: satellite imagery, repositioning of carrier strike groups, and cryptic statements from officials. Intelligence agencies monitored missile deployments, while journalists quoted inside sources. Amid this flood of signals, one stood out.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Pentagon adopts new press restrictions after court blocked previous press access policy and would close an onsite workspace in favor of an area on grounds outside main Pentagon building.

HOMELAND DEFENSE

While Iran war continues, Pentagon officials map out defense priorities back home, saying they were still targeting suspected drug traffickers and addressed potential terrestrial strikes on cartels.

Homeland defense during war, and details on minesweepers. Pentagon officials head to Congress to map out hemispheric defense priorities. Plus, interview with former commander of Navy minesweeper.

HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. is entering future with millions of drones in our airspace. As federal government works to manage what will become the most crowded skies in human history, state and local governments will face significant challenges in addressing this issue, regardless of what federal authorities do.

What we know about the LaGuardia Airport crash. Clearer picture emerging about collision between passenger jet and fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in NYC that left two pilots dead and dozens injured.

NTSB probes controller as part of broader investigation into LaGuardia Airport collision.

National Guard mobilized for search and rescue operations amid Hawaii’s worst flooding in two decades.

US POWER OVERSEAS

An armed, operational unmanned surface vessel (naval drone) manufactured by U.S. defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation washed ashore on NATO ally Turkey’s Black Sea coast, prompting security response and the vessel’s destruction in controlled offshore detonation.

US and UK teaming up to tackle threat of underwater drones to ports and other critical infrastructure.

IRAN CAMPAIGN

USS Gerald R. Ford, world’s largest aircraft carrier arrived in Greece for maintenance after surviving an onboard fire nearly two weeks earlier.

Navy counter-mine ships that replaced minesweepers last year in Bahrain have yet to demonstrate their reliability and effectiveness in face of potential naval mine warfare.

Trump reportedly approved Iran operation after Netanyahu argued for joint killing of Khamenei and other reasons, less than 48 hours before U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran began.

Pakistan pushing to mediate talks to end U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, with its powerful army chief holding calls with President Trump to find resolution to the fighting.

WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT

American-operated Patriot air defense battery likely fired interceptor missile involved in pre-dawn explosion that injured dozens of civilians and tore through homes in U.S. ally Bahrain.

Iran targets Israel and Gulf Arab states even as Trump says U.S. is in talks to end the war.

As it battles pro-Iran terror army Hezbollah in Lebanese border villages, Israel has bombed at least five of six principal bridges across river dividing country’s south from rest of Lebanon. It adds to concern that Israel may permanently depopulate region as a buffer zone, as million people have been displaced by fighting.

CHINA THREAT

Trump’s visit to China won’t fix much, if it even happens. President Trump’s suggestion that he will likely delay his planned state visit to Beijing by “month or so” to focus on war with Iran underscores fragility of U.S.-Chinese truce that has held since October.

EUROPEAN DEFENSES

Dutch armed forces will add specialized drone operators and counter-drone units to its combat brigades starting in April, the first country to do so.

Poland eyes benefits of joining GCAP sixth-generation fighter project, considering joining the Global Combat Air Program.

NORTH KOREA THREAT

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says the country will never relinquish its status as a nuclear-armed state, its nuclear-armed status is ‘irreversible.’ He also vowed to intensify efforts against what he called hostile forces.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Pakistan ranked most polluted country in 2025. Along with 129 out of 142 other countries, its concentrations of hazardous PM2.5 particles exceeded the recommended WHO level.Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Chad, the previously smoggiest country, and Democratic Republic of Congo also had average PM2.5 levels of over 50 micrograms/cubic meter.

US MILITARY

Pentagon’s top weapons tester noted progress on key munitions for Air Force, covering everything from dogfighting missiles to hypersonics.

Deadly KC-135 crash in Iraq spurs calls for communications upgrades to give aircrews more battlespace awareness.

More launches, more cyber threats: Space Force established squadron dedicated to defending against cyber intrusions at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., as concerns about threats to physical and digital space launch infrastructure rise.

Army buying AeroVironment’s new long-range, one-way attack drone called Red Dragon.

It hasn’t even officially taken delivery of its most powerful high-energy laser weapon yet, but Army is already walking away from it in pursuit of newer model.

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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