- As the Iran war drags on, the US may be running perilously low on key munitions.
- The US has used virtually all of its stockpiles of two kinds of precision long-range missiles since the start of the US-Iran war in late February.
- The US has also depleted nearly 80% of its supply of THAAD interceptor missiles and around half of its Patriot interceptors.
- President Donald Trump decided against a major escalation of the US-Iran war late last month after three US troops were killed, at least partially because of concerns about munitions shortages.
- The shortages are between Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the president has lashed out on social media, blaming leakers and threatening jail sentences.
- US forces are now at the point where they have to make snap decisions about whether to use an interceptor or ride out an attack.
- The US has a mathematical disadvantage: relatively few interceptors costing millions to produce, while Iran can hurl munitions at the US for about $35,000 each.
- A new agreement over the Strait of Hormuz is reportedly in the works, which could be a step toward ending the war if the US is willing to make some concessions.
As the Iran war drags on, the U.S. is facing critical shortages of key munitions. Reports indicate that the U.S. has used virtually all of its stockpiles of two types of precision long-range missiles since the conflict began in late February.12
The situation has become dire, with the U.S. having depleted nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptor missiles and around half of its Patriot interceptors. This depletion has forced U.S. forces to make snap decisions on whether to use interceptors or endure attacks.37
President Donald Trump, who recently opted against a major escalation of the conflict after the deaths of three U.S. troops, has expressed concerns over these shortages. He took to social media to criticize those leaking information about the munitions situation, stating, “The U.S. has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types.” He further threatened that the “leakers” would be “hunted down” and face long-term jail sentences.456
The U.S. military is now at a mathematical disadvantage, as interceptors cost millions to produce, while Iran can launch attacks at a fraction of that cost, approximately $35,000 each.8
Meanwhile, a new agreement over the Strait of Hormuz is reportedly in the works, which could potentially lead to an end to the war, contingent on U.S. concessions.9
“The US has used virtually all of its stockpiles of two precision long-range missiles and nearly 80% of THAAD interceptors, forcing snap decisions on defense. Iran can launch munitions for about $35,000 each, while US interceptors cost millions, creating a mathematical disadvantage.”
