US uses nearly 80% of its key air defense interceptors during Iran war
Photo: the shortage influenced Trump's decision on new strikes against Iran (Getty Images)
The US Army has expended nearly 80% of its interceptor missiles for a key air defense system, while American military commanders warn that the Pentagon's ammunition stockpiles are dangerously low, according to CNN.
According to the report, stockpiles of key missiles for air defense systems have shrunk particularly sharply during the war with Iran.
According to two sources, since the start of the war, US forces have expended nearly 4/5 of their THAAD missiles compared to pre-war levels (which has not been previously reported). Additionally, the army has spent about half of the Patriot interceptor missiles for the air defense systems of the same name.
According to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, before the start of the war with Iran, the US had approximately 2,200 Patriot missiles and 452 THAAD missiles.
The publication writes that Gulf allies have expressed concern that the shortage of air defense missiles could affect their ability to repel a potential Iranian retaliatory strike if President Donald Trump decides to escalate the conflict.
Several officials told CNN that a number of these countries rely on US air defense systems and acknowledged that the shortage could complicate their own ability to intercept Iranian missile and drone attacks, especially if they are launched in response to any US escalation.
Issue of ammunition stockpiles stopped Trump from carrying out an attack
The report states that the issue of ammunition stockpiles resurfaced ahead of President Donald Trump's decision to cancel the new strikes on Iran he had planned for the past weekend.
This is at least the second time in recent weeks that Trump officials have expressed concern over the depletion of key US ammunition stocks during discussions of a potential escalation of the conflict with Iran.
What else is important to know
A day earlier, Reuters reported that, according to their source, the US Army had used practically all of its precision long-range surface-to-air missiles during the war with Iran. In particular, this referred to a shortage of ATACMS, PrSM, and Tomahawk missiles.
We also wrote that according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the US and Iran are one step away from a peace agreement if they agree on control of the Strait of Hormuz. The media reported that Iran has lowered its demands.
