Geopolitics

Wesley Clark says Iran still has most missiles and ‘missile cities’ intact

Name: Wesley Clark says Iran still has most missiles and ‘missile cities’ intact
Uploaded: 2026-07-22T11:16:00+00:00
Description: Retired US general Wesley Clark told NewsNation that earlier strikes did not destroy what he called Iran’s “27” underground “missile cities”, arguing they were too deep under mountains for available munitions. Clark also claimed Iran likely retains “70% or more” of its missile inventory and warned against ceasefires that, in his view, allow Iran time to recover capabilities.

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Reality Check with Ross Coulthart

US, Iran trade new strikes after deadly weekend for US troops | Elizabeth Vargas Reports Full Show

"we did uh not get the missile cities. There 27 of these missile cities that were holding missiles, that were assembling missiles and so forth that were buried under mountains. We just don't have the the right bombs to crash through the mountains that deep."

Retired US general Wesley Clark told NewsNation that earlier strikes did not destroy what he called Iran’s “27” underground “missile cities”, arguing they were too deep under mountains for available munitions. Clark also claimed Iran likely retains “70% or more” of its missile inventory and warned against ceasefires that, in his view, allow Iran time to recover capabilities.

About this episode

NewsNation’s full-hour report led on escalating US-Iran hostilities after a weekend in which the programme said at least three US service members were killed, including two at a base in Jordan. Correspondent Jessica Curtalia, reporting from Doha, described continued exchanges of strikes and regional spillover risks, including claims that Jordan intercepted Iranian missiles and that shipping chokepoints could affect energy markets; she said closure of the Strait of Hormuz would cut global oil supply by about 7%.

Retired general Wesley Clark argued Iran is driving escalation and said US Central Command is targeting Iranian military assets affecting shipping. He also claimed Iran retains much of its missile capability, including underground “missile cities”, and said US air defences face challenges from manoeuvring warheads.

The programme then turned to US politics and Israel, airing an interview with Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon responding to New York City Mayor Mamdani’s comments about the ICC warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. Danon dismissed the arrest talk as a “stunt”, accused the mayor of “supporting terrorism”, and said he believes the world would be safer with regime change in Iran.

Domestic coverage included an alleged anti-ICE arson attempt outside a Manhattan federal building, a life sentence for Sinaloa co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García, and a Tennessee murder case involving a mother accused of killing a man found under her daughter’s bed. The show also covered Andrew and Tristan Tate’s US detention pending a UK extradition request and discussed the broader “manosphere” influence.

Key takeaways

The programme reported renewed US strikes against Iran following deaths of US troops in Jordan and Iraq, with a dignified transfer planned at Dover AFB.
A correspondent said regional attacks and threats to shipping could tighten global energy supplies, citing a 7% figure for Strait of Hormuz disruption.
Wesley Clark claimed Iran still has extensive missile capacity, including 27 underground “missile cities”, and urged against ceasefires that allow recovery time.
Clark said manoeuvring, terminally guided missiles can defeat Patriot interceptors and called for faster-directed energy and other air-defence solutions.
Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon dismissed NYC arrest talk regarding Netanyahu as a legal non-starter and accused the mayor of “supporting terrorism”.
Danon said he believes regime change in Iran would make the world safer and predicted it will happen without giving a timeline.
US authorities alleged an anti-ICE suspect set a gasoline fire outside a Manhattan federal building and was willing to hurt or kill people entering or leaving.