US used up nearly all long-range missile stockpiles in Iran war

The United States has exhausted nearly all of its stockpile of precision-guided, long-range missiles during an ongoing five-month conflict with Iran, according to sources cited by Reuters on August 4. The depleted stockpiles primarily consist of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), though the exact remaining quantity has not been disclosed.

These missiles are designed to deliver precise strikes at long ranges without the need for aircraft, making them highly valuable in environments where enemy air defenses are active.

The ATACMS and PrSM have been employed by Ukrainian forces to target Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and inside Russia itself. Meanwhile, the PrSM is a newer system intended to eventually replace the ATACMS and could potentially play a significant role in any future confrontation with China. Despite expressing confidence in their resources, the Pentagon and the White House have dismissed concerns over the critically low missile stockpiles.

President Donald Trump has also commented that the U.S. possesses more weapons than any other nation, and far more than it requires.

Moreover, Reuters' sources also indicated that U.S. stockpiles of certain air defense systems have dwindled. According to estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), around 65% of interceptor missile stockpiles for Patriot systems were utilized between February and July. Furthermore, THAAD interceptor stockpiles have also decreased by at least 38%.

In addition, one source suggested that the U.S. has utilized nearly half of the global supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had previously expressed apprehension over the depletion of U.S. air-defense interceptor stockpiles, cautioning that while limited stockpiles don't prevent a resumption of large-scale combat operations against Iran, they do considerably raise the risks involved.