The Trump administration has denied claims of a shortage in US munitions amid ongoing military operations, asserting that the country's missile stockpiles remain robust. This follows reports that the US has expended significant quantities of difficult-to-manufacture weapons during the combat operation known as Operation Epic Fury and subsequent strikes.

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. 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 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.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that Trump confronted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over a possible weapons shortfall. In response to these reports, Trump posted on Truth Social, stating, "The 'leakers' of these treasonous statements are being hunted down," and later called the Washington Post's reporting "fake" and "treasonous." He also indicated that "long term jail sentences will be sought" for those responsible.

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 the 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."

Sources