On Thursday, August 6th, 2026, former US President Donald Trump denied claims of a munitions shortage amid ongoing conflict, asserting that the country's missile stockpiles remain robust. Trump also stated on Truth Social that "The 'leakers' of these treasonous statements are being hunted down," and vowed that "Long term jail sentences will be sought!"

Reports from CBS News, the BBC's US partner, cited unnamed sources indicating that the US has expended much of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles during the war. The Washington Post reported that Trump confronted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last week over a possible weapons shortfall.

Using publicly available data, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that by the end of July, the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles left—about a 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 used.

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 added that "our Armed Forces - backed 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 statements come after the US spent vast quantities of difficult-to-manufacture weapons during the combat operation known as Operation Epic Fury and subsequent tit-for-tat strikes.

Sources