The United States has used nearly 80 per cent of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) interceptor missiles since the start of the conflict with Iran, while senior military commanders have warned that Pentagon munitions stockpiles are becoming “dangerously low”, according to a CNN report.
Citing two sources familiar with the latest inventory figures, CNN reported that the US has depleted almost four-fifths of its Thaad interceptor inventory compared with pre-war levels. The report also said about half of its Patriot interceptor missiles have been used. The extent of the Thaad stockpile reduction had not previously been reported.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that before the conflict, the US possessed around 2,200 Patriot interceptors and 452 Thaad missiles.
Concerns grow over regional defence capability
The reported decline in interceptor stocks has raised concerns among Gulf allies that reduced US air defence capabilities could affect the region’s ability to respond to potential Iranian missile and drone attacks should President Donald Trump decide to escalate the conflict.
Earlier, Trump told Fox News that Washington and Tehran were engaged in “very good discussions”, despite repeated denials by Iranian officials.
“We’re having very good discussions. They don’t like to admit that,” Trump said, adding that Iran wanted to reach an agreement.
“The only thing that matters is action, and they want to make a deal. We’ll see what happens. If they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be too bad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that the US, Iran and Oman were close to reaching an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington aiming to announce a deal as early as Wednesday. The report cited two regional sources and one US official.
Planned strikes reportedly called off
According to CNN, the issue of dwindling munitions was discussed before Trump decided to cancel planned strikes on Iran last weekend.
A senior Trump administration official told the broadcaster that Trump had been preparing for major military action, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth receiving the final approval order on Friday.
However, Trump later decided to stand down after consulting Middle East allies about the potential risk of Iranian retaliation against regional energy infrastructure.
White House rejects shortage concerns
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed suggestions that the US military lacked the resources required for future operations.
“America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing,” he told CNN.
“We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the US military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests,” he added.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly also rejected concerns over dwindling stockpiles, saying the US military had “more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond.”
Separately, Reuters reported on Tuesday that US officials were concerned about declining supplies of long-range precision weapons, although sources did not disclose the remaining quantities.
The news agency also reported that US forces had used “virtually all” of certain highly accurate long-range surface-to-air weapons. The extent of reductions in Army Tactical Missile Systems (Atacms) and Precision Strike Missile (Prsm) inventories had not previously been reported.
Trump has previously rejected similar claims, saying the US possesses “far more munitions than anyone in the world” and “far more than we need”. He added that American defence manufacturers were producing munitions at record levels while expanding production capacity.
According to Reuters, one source said US Central Command had been able to replenish supplies using military stockpiles positioned around the world.
