US sources say Pentagon used nearly all long-range precision missiles in Iran war

Fresh Panic As Pentagon Has Used 'Virtually All' Its Long-Range Precision Missiles On Iran US forces "used up virtually all" of their precision, long-range missiles during the course of the Iran war, and during the earlier heavy US-Israeli campaign of Operation Epic Fury, Reuters reported Tuesday. This has raised serious "concerns about the military's ​readiness for future conflicts," informed sources told the outlet. In particular it is the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) which are said to be running critically low. US Army file image "Washington has used virtually all of these weapons," two sources told Reuters, after several media reports and think tank studies had already sounded the alarm over dwindling missiles amid both the Iran war and in the years-long process of supplying Ukraine. Low Patriot defense missile supplies have also been a persisting issue in the headlines. They are costly and time-consuming in terms of manufacturing replacements. For example a single ATACMS munition costs about $1 million. One immediate consequence could be that if heavy bombardment of Iran starts up again, the US would have to conduct riskier piloted aerial bombings - instead relying on longer range precision strikes afforded by the land-based systems at safer distances. And another, somewhat obvious consequence, is highlighted in the following: "But as ​the war drags on, the three people familiar with the matter expressed worry that the falling missile supplies could limit the U.S. ability to deter adversaries, including Russia and China." The report added: "A fourth person ⁠familiar with the matter said that while Central Command — which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East — has nearly used up the land-based missiles it had before the war began, it has been able to reload from U.S. military supplies elsewhere in the ​world." President Trump has of late responded to these now widespread reports of badly depleted advanced munitions, explaining that "Our defense companies are, at this moment, making more munitions than they have ever made before, ​in addition to expanding their plants and equipment at record levels." Additionally,  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took to social media to refute the report, calling it false news. “That banner is NOT TRUE, CNN. Shame on you,” the Pentagon chief said in a post on X. “We don’t hate the Fake News media enough.” Hegseth was specifically referring to a CNN on-screen banner that read: “Sources: U.S. has used nearly 80% of key missile interceptors in Iran war, top commanders warn stockpiles dangerously low.” However, the Reuters report has set off speculation that Trump's weekend backtracking on planned 'harder' Iran strikes could have been in part because the Pentagon has warned of waning supplies and capabilities regarding conventional way of doing long-range missile strikes. We’re out of crucial defensive weapons systems, and now we’re out of crucial offensive weapons. Other than that, Sir, how’s the war going? https://t.co/qXNiSLHQho — Mark Ames (@MarkAmesExiled) August 4, 2026 Critics of the decision to go to war in the first place have warned over this very scenario of exhausting Pentagon stockpiles. Those against this war of choice say that it's the opposite of America First - and that ultimately the war is about protecting Israel and not necessarily American security and interests. The reality also is that in the opening days of Operation Epic Fury, the US seemed underprepared for the ferocity of the Iranian response. At least 13 American bases in the region were hit and damaged in just the opening weeks of the war, to the point that US forces across the region had to be moved back from front line Gulf areas, and energy sites across the region were pummeled and suffered billions of dollars in damage. Tyler Durden Wed, 08/05/2026 - 20:30

US depleted 'virtually all' long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Report The US has exhausted its stockpile of sophisticated long-range missiles during the war on Iran, suggesting that there are supply limits to President Donald Trump’s threat to subject the Islamic Republic to the "biggest attack" since World War II. The US has drained its supply of surface-to-surface weapons, known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing two sources who said the US had used "virtually all" of these munitions. These long-range missiles are a critical part of the US’s arsenal, allowing it to accurately target foes from a distance without relying on warplanes that are vulnerable to air defence systems. Reuters reported that US Central Command - which oversees military operations in the Middle East - has had to replenish its stock of surface-to-surface missiles from other theatres of operation. Read more: US depleted 'virtually all' long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Report

US depleted 'virtually all' long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Report The US has exhausted its stockpile of sophisticated long-range missiles during the war on Iran, suggesting that there are supply limits to President Donald Trump’s threat to subject the Islamic Republic to the "biggest attack" since World War II. The US has drained its supply of surface-to-surface weapons, known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing two sources who said the US had used "virtually all" of these munitions. These long-range missiles are a critical part of the US’s arsenal, allowing it to accurately target foes from a distance without relying on warplanes that are vulnerable to air defence systems. Reuters reported that US Central Command - which oversees military operations in the Middle East - has had to replenish its stock of surface-to-surface missiles from other theatres of operation. The US and Israel first attacked Iran on 28 February. Fighting has flared throughout the summer despite a June ceasefire brokered through the Islamabad memorandum of understanding between the two sides. The US pulled some air defence systems and troops from East Asia at the beginning of the war. Ukraine, which is battling a Russian invasion, has used US-supplied ATACMS to target Russia. Read more: US depleted 'virtually all' long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Report A US Army Tactical Missile System fires a missile from an undisclosed location on South Korea's east coast during a live-fire exercise aimed at countering North Korea’s missile testing, on 25 May 2022 (South Korean defence ministry/AFP/Handout)

US depleted 'virtually all' long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 16:37 Military officials have warned President Trump that missile interceptors are also dangerously low A US Army Tactical Missile System fires a missile from an undisclosed location on South Korea's east coast during a live-fire exercise aimed at countering North Korea’s missile testing, on 25 May 2022 (South Korean defence ministry/AFP/Handout) Off The US has exhausted its stockpile of sophisticated long-range missiles during the war on Iran, suggesting that there are supply limits to President Donald Trump’s threat to subject the Islamic Republic to the "biggest attack" since World War II. The US has drained its supply of surface-to-surface weapons, known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing two sources who said the US had used "virtually all" of these munitions. These long-range missiles are a critical part of the US’s arsenal, allowing it to accurately target foes from a distance without relying on warplanes that are vulnerable to air defence systems. Reuters reported that US Central Command - which oversees military operations in the Middle East - has had to replenish its stock of surface-to-surface missiles from other theatres of operation. The US and Israel first attacked Iran on 28 February. Fighting has flared throughout the summer despite a June ceasefire brokered through the Islamabad memorandum of understanding between the two sides. The US pulled some air defence systems and troops from East Asia at the beginning of the war. Ukraine, which is battling a Russian invasion, has used US-supplied ATACMS to target Russia. Depleted defensive weapons The Trump administration boasted for months during the height of the war that Iran’s air defence systems have been obliterated, but Middle East Eye and other outlets reported that Iran has received new systems from China and Russia. An F-15E warplane was shot down over Iran in April, sparking a massive manhunt for the crew. If Iran had captured the pilot, it would have been a big bargaining chip in ceasefire talks.  In addition to offensive munitions, the US was running low on missile and drone interceptors before the war. The shortage was a reflection of US efforts to defend Israel during a war in June 2025 that culminated in the US bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities.  'Suez moment': US missteps in Iran echo across East Asia to the Gulf and Europe Read More » Reuters reported that US military leaders have for weeks warned Trump that stockpiles of defensive weapons, including Patriot interceptors, were also dwindling. The report was seen as a vindication for critics of the war that the conflict is sapping the US’s military prestige and draining precious resources. “CENTCOM used everything they had before the war and have drawn down from rest of the world to critical levels,” Saagar Enjeti, a conservative commentator and host of Breaking Points, who has argued against foreign intervention, wrote on X. “Thank you FDD and UANI for the wonderful policies you have been advocating for. They have made America stronger!” Amir Handjani, a board member of the Quincy Institute think-tank in Washington, wrote on X, referring to the Foundation for Defence of Democracies and United Against Nuclear Iran, which critics say lobbied on behalf of the war. The report comes after Trump backtracked on a pledge to unleash massive new strikes against Iran. Trump said he planned to carry out “the biggest attack since World War II” on Iran last week. He backtracked on Monday, saying Gulf states asked him not to escalate the fight and claimed that a deal to return to the ceasefire is being negotiated. “I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” Trump said Monday. Iran has denied it is in direct talks with the US. War on Iran News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0