Iran’s Military and Economy Crippled After Weeks of War, US Claims “Historic Victory”

Iran’s military and economy have taken a devastating blow in the wake of six weeks of conflict with Israel and the United States, according to open-source intelligence and Iranian reports compiled by The Jerusalem Post. The estimated economic damage ranges between $140 billion and $145 billion — a staggering figure that underscores the scale of destruction wrought by the war.

Beyond the financial toll, Iran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded. Reports indicate that over 66 percent of missile and drone production facilities and shipbuilding infrastructure have been destroyed. Between 160 and 190 ballistic missile launchers have been eliminated, with hundreds more rendered inoperable. The country’s naval assets, air force, and air defenses reportedly suffered crippling losses.

The conflict also targeted Iran’s nuclear program, hitting key facilities in Natanz, Yazd, and Arak. Experts estimate that these strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear development by 8 to 15 years, a significant setback that aligns with the US narrative of preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared the campaign a “historic victory on the battlefield” at a White House briefing following the ceasefire announcement. He claimed that the US military, using only a fraction of its capabilities, defeated “one of the largest armies in the world” in less than 40 days. Hegseth asserted that Iran’s new leadership agreed to the ceasefire deal because they had no viable options left, and that prohibited nuclear materials would be removed from the country under the agreement.

This conflict and its aftermath fit a broader pattern of aggressive US foreign policy under the current administration, which has repeatedly used military escalation and economic sanctions as tools to distract from domestic scandals and consolidate power. The war’s heavy toll on Iran’s military and economy raises urgent questions about the long-term consequences for regional stability and the global balance of power.

As the dust settles, the true cost of this manufactured war will be measured not only in dollars and destroyed infrastructure but in the lives lost and the erosion of diplomatic norms. We will continue to track the fallout and hold accountable those responsible for dragging the world closer to open conflict.