A report by “The Wall Street Journal” reveals that while Israel claims success in significant attacks on Iran’s military infrastructure, its long-range missile defense systems are facing serious challenges.

A senior official familiar with US intelligence noted a rapid decline in the number of interceptors available to Israel, raising concerns about the sustainability of its defense capabilities.

This report emerges amid ongoing missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. Following the initiation of “Operation Rising Line,” Iran has launched nearly 400 ballistic missiles from its estimated stockpile of 2,000 capable of reaching Israeli territory.

Israel’s defense systems, particularly the “Arrow” system, have intercepted most of these attacks, but this success has come at a substantial cost.

Officials in Tel Aviv informed The Wall Street Journal that approximately one-third of Iran’s missile launchers have been destroyed, granting Israel air superiority in the region.

However, intelligence sources indicate that more than half of Iran’s missile inventory remains intact, with many stored in underground facilities.

Israel’s integrated missile defense system, which includes Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow systems, and US-supplied Patriot and THAAD batteries, has seen costs escalate dramatically.

The Israeli economic journal “The Marker” reports that a single night of defensive operations can cost up to one billion shekels (around 285 million USD), with each Arrow interceptor missile priced at three million dollars.

As Iranian attacks continue daily, Israel’s air defense reserves are under intense pressure. US and Israeli intelligence suggest that if Iran maintains its current rate of attacks, Israel’s defense reserves may only last 10 to 12 days.

Sources indicate that “the system is already under severe strain, forcing Israel to potentially decide which missiles to intercept and which to allow through.”

This pressure is becoming increasingly apparent. On Friday night, Iranian missiles bypassed Israel’s defense system and landed near the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.

A missile strike on Sunday disabled a major oil refinery near Haifa, while viral videos on social media on Tuesday morning showed several Iranian missiles landing close to Israeli intelligence compounds.

To date, the Israeli government has confirmed 24 fatalities and over 600 injuries.

While Israeli retaliatory strikes have significantly damaged Iran’s military facilities, oil infrastructure, and nuclear sites, the pressing question remains whether Israel can safeguard its costly and advanced missile defense system to maintain air security.