US-Iran Peace Memorandum Omits Ballistic Missiles After 39-Day War Drained US Defenses
Updated
Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Jun 23
US-Iran Peace Memorandum Omits Ballistic Missiles After 39-Day War Drained US Defenses
3 articles · Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Jun 23
Summary
The memorandum between Washington and Tehran leaves Iran’s ballistic missile program untouched, despite it being a central U.S. and Israeli war aim.
Thirty-nine days of fighting showed why: Iran mixed cheap drones, ballistic missiles and Gulf disruption tactics to impose outsized costs, including a hit to 17% of Qatar’s LNG shipments—about $16.2 billion in revenue.
CSIS estimates the United States fired 3,710 to 4,510 high-value missiles, depleting roughly half the stockpiles of four types, including Patriot and THAAD interceptors; replenishment could take one to four years.
U.S. strikes hit 13,000 targets, but intelligence cited by The New York Times said Iran had already restored access to 30 of 33 missile bases and 90% of underground storage and launch facilities.
That outcome underscores a broader lesson from the war: low-cost drones and horizontal escalation against shipping and civilian infrastructure can let a weaker power survive and negotiate without surrendering core capabilities.
How will advanced militaries now counter cheap, numerous drone and missile swarm attacks effectively?
As AI targeting caused immense civilian harm, what international rules must now govern automated warfare?
With Qatar's energy infrastructure crippled, how will this crisis permanently alter global alliances and markets?
The 2026 US-Iran Peace Memorandum: 14-Point Deal Ends 39-Day War but Defers Key Security and Humanitarian Issues
Overview
The 39-day conflict between the US and Iran in 2026 led to a rapid depletion of advanced US munitions, creating a strategic gap and raising concerns about military readiness. This left the US less able to respond to future crises, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and exposed vulnerabilities in its global defense posture. The economic impact was also significant, with the costs of the war increasing national debt and threatening long-term fiscal stability. These pressures drove the US to seek a quick ceasefire, resulting in a peace memorandum that deferred many difficult issues to future negotiations.