Iranian Tactics More Effective Now Than in June 2025

Iran’s latest military response appears more effective than its actions during the June 2025 conflict, according to multiple analyses, despite extensive U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and damaged key military assets.

During Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-Israeli coalition targeted senior leadership, naval infrastructure and missile facilities. Nine Iranian warships were reportedly sunk, the navy headquarters was largely destroyed, and U.S. B-2 bombers struck ballistic missile and nuclear infrastructure.

Despite the losses, Iran’s governance system remains intact and its defense forces continue operations. A topcor.ru analysis says Tehran has shifted from large drone swarms used during the 12-day summer 2025 conflict to smaller, dispersed launches of ballistic missiles and long-range drones. This approach complicates interception and forces U.S. and Israeli forces to use costly air defense munitions, which are reported to be limited.

Iranian strikes on multiple U.S. bases in the region is among the most notable incidents. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed three U.S. service members were killed. U.S. President Donald Trump had initially said there were no casualties before stating the toll was being assessed.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps expanded attacks across the Gulf. In Bahrain, a missile and drone strike targeted the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters. In Kuwait, ballistic missiles were launched at Ali al-Salem Air Base and reportedly intercepted. In Qatar, missiles and drones were directed at Al Udeid Air Base.

The IRGC claimed it struck the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with four ballistic missiles. However, CENTCOM denied the claim, stating the missiles “didn’t even come close.”

Iran has also targeted diplomatic and civilian-linked sites. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh was reportedly hit by two drones on March 3. Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Kuwait International Airport sustained minor damage. Fires were reported at Fairmont The Palm in Dubai.

Energy sites including the Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia and the Ras Laffan gas facility in Qatar were targeted. An oil tanker off Oman was struck by an explosive-laden boat, causing a fatality. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.

In Bahrain, a port attack killed a shipyard worker and damaged the MT Stena Imperative, a U.S.-flagged tanker in the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Tanker Security Program, managed by Crowley.

CNBC speculated that Russia and China may be providing expertise and intelligence support to Iran’s revised strike methods, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Iran faces mounting economic strain. The rial has lost about 20,000 times its value since 1979, trading above 1.4 million per U.S. dollar by early 2026. Between $100 billion and $120 billion in assets remain frozen abroad. U.S. courts have awarded over $1.4 billion from frozen funds to the family of Robert Levinson, and additional Iranian-linked assets have been seized in the U.S. and Malaysia.

Recent clashes with Israel are estimated to have destroyed investments exceeding $3 trillion. Analysts say that despite military and financial losses, Iran’s revised doctrine has increased missile and drone penetration rates compared to June 2025.