US faces missile shortage as Iran war escalates — WSJ
US Patriot missile system deployed in the Middle East (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The United States and Israel are working to rapidly degrade Iran's military capabilities and force Tehran to capitulate, driven by concerns over the massive consumption of air defense assets, which could leave Washington with depleted stockpiles, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Read also: US and Israel hit Iran hard: Is this a war to destroy the regime?
During the planning of military operations against Iran, US military officials warned of the risk of exhausting ammo reserves. That concern is now becoming critical.
The United States is trying to quickly reduce Iran's missile and drone capabilities while simultaneously expending large volumes of air defense interceptors. Officials and analysts note that this has created a serious logistical challenge.
Exact figures for air defense missile stockpiles are classified, but ongoing strikes in the Middle East have significantly reduced them. Following attacks on Iranian military sites, US Central Command reported intercepting hundreds of missile and drone attacks, though some still managed to hit targets in the Gulf region.
President Donald Trump has indicated the United States is prepared for a prolonged air campaign. Experts warn, however, that interceptors are being used faster than they can be produced. The United States is heavily relying on Patriot and THAAD systems, as well as sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, for strikes on Iranian targets.
Analysts caution that a shortage of precision-guided munitions could affect US readiness for other potential conflicts, including in the Indo-Pacific region. Israel, also involved in the operations, faces similar shortages of interceptors.
If the conflict continues, experts predict the Pentagon may have to reallocate missile stockpiles from other regions, potentially impacting supplies to Europe, which has been sending missiles to Ukraine.
Also, on March 1, Trump acknowledged that US forces have already suffered casualties in the operation against Iran and indicated conditions under which the campaign could be paused.
Fighting between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues. Trump also stated that Iran's new leadership wants to resume dialogue with the United States, and he is open to talks, though no timeline for meetings has been specified.
