The Trump administration has denied claims of a shortage in US munitions despite reports indicating significant depletion of long-range precision missiles during ongoing conflicts.

CBS News, a US partner of the BBC, cited unnamed sources revealing that much of the US global stockpile of these missiles has been used up. Additionally, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a national security think tank, estimated that by the end of July 2026, the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles remaining—approximately one-third of the 2,330 available before the conflict began. CSIS also estimated that around 60% of terminal high altitude area defense (THAAD) missiles have been expended.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that Trump confronted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over a possible weapons shortfall. In response to these reports, Trump took to Truth Social, calling the reporting "fake" and "treasonous," and stated, "The 'leakers' of these treasonous statements are being hunted down," adding that "long term jail sentences will be sought!"

In contrast, Defence Minister Majid Ibn-e-Reza posted on X that "each day, the signs of the enemy's diminishing capabilities become more apparent," and affirmed that their Armed Forces, supported by the nation's defence industry, are fully equipped to respond to any threat. He further claimed that "those who are now seeking to buy security and military superiority through imported systems will soon realise that Iran's indigenous technology is superior to any system in the region."

These developments come after the US expended vast quantities of difficult-to-manufacture weapons during the combat operation known as Operation Epic Fury and subsequent tit-for-tat strikes.

Sources