Is the US running out of missiles?
This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Welcome to The Logoff: As the Iran war drags on, the US may be running perilously low on key munitions. What’s happening? According to reporting by Reuters this week, […]
Recent reports from Reuters indicate that the United States may be running low on essential munitions as the Iran conflict continues. According to CNN, nearly 80% of the US's THAAD interceptor missiles and around half of its Patriot interceptors have been depleted. These shortages could potentially limit the US's military options against Iran, as reported by the New York Times, which suggested that President Donald Trump decided against a major escalation after three US troops were killed, likely due to munitions shortages.
The Atlantic notes that US forces are now forced to make difficult decisions about whether to use an interceptor or stay and face an attack, with Iran having a significant advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness, as Iran can launch drones for approximately $35,000 each. President Trump has responded to these shortages with frustration, accusing unnamed individuals of spreading "treasonous" information and threatening severe consequences for leakers.
The shortages might even prompt a desire for peace, with Iran and Oman reportedly negotiating a deal to end the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz. However, the situation remains tense, and the coming days will be crucial in determining the path forward.
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
