Iran war: US appears to have almost exhausted important missile stocks

The United States has reportedly used nearly all of its stockpiles of key ground-based long-range missiles during its five-month conflict with Iran, according to reports citing insiders. The revelation raises concerns about the military’s readiness for future conflicts, according to government officials who noted the low inventory levels. The specific usage of missile types such as Army Tactical Missile Systems (Atacms) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) remained undisclosed, though analysts suggest these weapons, costing over one million dollars each, are strategically valuable in potential confrontations with nations like China or Russia. The depleted stocks primarily consist of ground-to-ground projectiles operated by the U.S. Army. Two unnamed insiders told Reuters that the country had “almost entirely” consumed these munitions. They declined to provide exact figures, but analysts estimate that such advanced weaponry could play a crucial role in future conflicts. In addition, the U.S. has reportedly used nearly half of its global supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles since the war began. These missiles, launched from ships and submarines, have been critical in maintaining strategic reach. Defensive systems such as Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and the THAAD system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, have also seen substantial reductions in their inventories. According to a recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), approximately 65 percent of Patriot missile interceptors were expended between February and July, while THAAD deployments dropped by at least 38 percent. Two of the insiders confirmed that these figures align with internal U.S. data. Despite this, President Donald Trump dismissed the concerns, stating in a White House statement that the U.S. possesses “far more ammunition than anyone else in the world” and “far more than we need.” He added that defense contractors are increasing production to record levels. A Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell, emphasized that the U.S. military remains the most powerful in the world and is fully equipped to act at any time and place as directed by the president. Analysts agree that certain types of munitions, including artillery shells and several missile variants, are being produced at unprecedented rates. However, they caution that even with current production levels, supplies might not last through an extended conflict. The high rate of missile consumption in the Iranian conflict reflects broader strategic decisions within the Trump administration. One insider suggested that the increased use of precision-guided weapons mirrors the administration’s preference for avoiding riskier attacks using manned aircraft. Internal discussions within the U.S. government continue regarding how long the strikes against Iran can persist without compromising the military’s ability to respond to other crises. The deployment of U.S.-supplied Atacms played a pivotal role in the ongoing war in Ukraine, enabling Ukrainian forces to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. This underscores the significance of long-range weaponry in modern warfare. As the conflict continues, the depletion of critical stockpiles highlights both the intensity of operations and the limitations of existing reserves. With ongoing debates over the sustainability of military actions, the implications of these dwindling supplies remain a pressing concern for policymakers and military strategists alike.