Washington — According to two sources familiar with the situation, the United States has nearly exhausted its global reserve of long-range precision missiles amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, as reported by CBS News.
The information indicates that the U.S. has utilized almost all of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles. The initial report from Reuters noted that during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. had effectively consumed “virtually all” of its long-range precision munitions.
Prior reports from CBS News have highlighted concerns regarding the diminishing stocks of defensive interceptors and long-range missiles, creating pressure within the administration. The current pace of munitions expenditure, particularly in the early stages of the conflict with Iran, has raised alarms about sustainability.
Officials from the U.S. highlighted that the inventories of ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles are limited. The immediate concern revolves around the number of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, which have been utilized more rapidly than they can be replenished by the defense industry.
A July analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that prior to the onset of the war, the U.S. possessed 2,330 Patriot interceptors, with the count dropping to between 759 and 827 by the end of July. The same report indicated that the U.S. had 452 THAAD interceptors before the conflict began, which declined to a range of 234 to 278 by July 27. Another report from CSIS projected that it may take until at least mid-2029 for U.S. inventory levels to recover to pre-war figures for both systems.
Sean Parnell, the chief spokesperson for the Pentagon, stated to CBS News, “America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has all the necessary resources to act at the time and place determined by the President. We have successfully conducted various operations across combatant commands while ensuring the U.S. military maintains a robust arsenal to safeguard our citizens and interests.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously downplayed worries regarding U.S. stockpiles, labeling them as exaggerated media narratives. “That is a manufactured story that the media wants to peddle, and ultimately our stockpiles are great, and they’re only getting stronger,” Hegseth asserted during an appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on July 14.
President Trump has indicated that U.S. military strikes against Iran are currently on hold to allow for diplomatic discussions concerning the Strait of Hormuz. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of resuming extensive military actions against Iran if U.S. demands are not satisfied. “I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” the President noted in the Oval Office on Monday.
