WASHINGTON: Reports in U.S. and British media have raised concerns about the availability of critical missile stockpiles within the U.S. military, as Washington faces mounting pressure over its response to escalating tensions with Iran.
According to reports published by The Telegraph and the New York Post, internal concerns have emerged within the U.S. defense establishment regarding the availability of interceptor missiles and other key weapons systems that would be required in the event of a prolonged military campaign.
The reports, citing unnamed sources, claim that some officials are concerned the full extent of missile shortages may not have been communicated to senior political leadership, including the White House. These claims have not been independently verified.
One unnamed U.S. official quoted in the reports reportedly said that existing weapons inventories may not be sufficient to sustain military operations safely over an extended period, adding that the White House may not be fully aware of the situation.
The reports come as President Donald Trump is said to be facing increased political pressure following the deaths of three U.S. service members, with calls from some quarters for a stronger response against Iran.
According to the published accounts, discussions within the Pentagon have reportedly focused on dwindling supplies of interceptor missiles, which are considered essential for defending against missile attacks during any expanded regional conflict.
Some sources cited in the reports also alleged that there is reluctance within parts of the defense establishment to fully disclose the extent of the shortages, while others suggested that the White House itself may not have sought detailed information on the issue. These assertions remain unconfirmed.
A March report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) estimated that the United States and its allies had used more than 11,000 munitions during the first 16 days of earlier military operations and projected that certain precision-guided weapon stockpiles could approach critically low levels within a month if combat continued at a similar pace.
The reports further state that the United States has increased its military readiness in recent days, with additional F-35 and F-16 fighter aircraft reportedly deployed from bases in the United Kingdom and Germany to the Middle East. Aerial refueling aircraft have also reportedly been positioned to support extended operations.
According to the media reports, military strikes that initially focused on coastal targets have expanded further inland following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement.
One unnamed source quoted in the reports claimed that some officials within the Pentagon believe additional military operations may be necessary to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran is fully engaged in a state of war, further heightening concerns about the potential for broader regional escalation.
The reports also suggest that shortages of long-range strike weapons, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and THAAD interceptor missiles, could limit the United States’ ability to sustain an expanded military campaign if the conflict intensifies.
According to the cited reports, rebuilding inventories of certain advanced missile systems could take several years, with estimates indicating that some stockpiles may not fully recover until 2029 or 2031, depending on production capacity.
Another unnamed source reportedly claimed that senior defense officials do not always receive complete operational assessments before briefing the President or Congress, alleging that some advisers may seek to avoid criticism. These allegations have not been confirmed by U.S. authorities.
At the time of reporting, the U.S. Department of Defense and the White House had not publicly responded to the specific claims regarding missile inventories contained in the cited media reports. The information remains based on anonymous sources and published reporting by The Telegraph and the New York Post, and has not been independently verified.
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