Trump advisers scramble to justify possible US attack on Iran
Feb 28th 2026
The White House is framing Iran's missile and nuclear activity as a growing threat while public evidence and recent US intelligence assessments offer a more mixed picture, raising questions about the case for large-scale military intervention.
- Trump claimed Iran is building missiles that will soon reach the US, but the White House and Pentagon have not publicly provided evidence for that assertion.
- A 2025 US defense intelligence assessment says Iran could develop a militarily viable ICBM by 2035 if it chooses to pursue that capability.
- The March US intelligence community threat assessment did not identify a direct ballistic missile threat from Iran to the US homeland.
- Senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio have hedged the president's remarks while emphasizing concern about Iran's missile activity.
- Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles and 1,000 attack drones in a recent 12-day war, with about 43 reported to have penetrated defenses.
- US military leaders warn a wider conflict could deplete interceptor missile stockpiles and expose Israel and US bases in the region to larger strikes.
- Iran sees its missile arsenal as a key deterrent and bargaining chip, and Tehran calls limits on its missiles a red line in negotiations.