The Trump administration has denied claims of a shortage in US munitions and announced intentions to seek jail sentences for those leaking sensitive information. This comes amid reports that the US has expended a large portion of its difficult-to-manufacture long-range precision missiles during recent military operations.

Defence Minister Majid Ibn-e-Reza posted on X, "Each day, the signs of the enemy's diminishing capabilities become more apparent," adding that the Armed Forces, supported by the nation's defence industry, remain fully equipped to respond to any threat. He also 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."

CBS News, the BBC's US partner, reported that the US has gone through much of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles during the war, citing two unnamed sources with direct knowledge of the subject. The Washington Post reported that Trump confronted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last week over a possible weapons shortfall, also citing unnamed sources.

In response, Trump posted on Truth Social, "The 'leakers' of these treasonous statements are being hunted down," and later addressed the Washington Post's story, calling it "fake 'reporting'" and "treasonous!" He further stated that "long term jail sentences will be sought!"

Using publicly available data, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a national security think tank, 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 estimates that around 60% of terminal high altitude area defense (THAAD) missiles, which are used to intercept strikes, have been used.

The situation highlights tensions between official assurances of military readiness and reports suggesting significant depletion of critical missile stockpiles.

Sources