US Iran war exposes ammunition shortages, industrial bottlenecks, Pentagon watchdog says

The US Defense Department's inspector general has disclosed that the prolonged war in Iran has led to a critical shortage of ammunition, according to a mandatory report submitted to Congress. According to the report, the operation, known as Operation Epic Fury, cost approximately $33.4 billion between February 28 and June 30, with nearly two-thirds of that expenditure, $22.3 billion, allocated to munitions.

This expenditure has resulted in significant challenges, including strategic inventory shortages and bottlenecks in the industrial base responsible for munitions resupply.

The report also detailed substantial losses to the American military, citing the destruction of four F-15 fighter jets, one F-35 aircraft, seven KC-135 tanker planes, and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones. Despite these losses, President Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed concerns about depleted weapons stores, claiming the US possesses "virtually unlimited" ammunition during the war.

However, recent reports have indicated that the US is experiencing shortages of long-range guided missiles and air-defense interceptors, with the military having nearly exhausted 80% of its stock of THAAD interceptors.

The conflict has also had a significant impact on US bases across several Middle Eastern countries, with Iranian strikes causing damage and destruction to numerous buildings and structures. However, the cost of these damages has not been included in the reported expenditure, as it remains unclear if all affected bases will be rebuilt or who will bear the financial burden.