U.S. said to burn through interceptor supplies to thwart Iran attacks

Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified as Tehran adapts its missile tactics to evade American defenses. In a recent attack on American forces in Jordan, Iran fired about 20 ballistic missiles at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, prompting the US to deploy more than 70 Patriot interceptors and over a dozen Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems.

This aggressive response has strained the US's interceptors, with one official comparing the expenditure to the defense efforts over an entire week during other conflicts. Despite the high cost, the attack was not without consequences, as two missiles managed to reach the base, causing damage to American aircraft. An A-10 Thunderbolt II was struck, losing a wing, while approximately eight F-15 fighter jets sustained lighter damage.

Though no US personnel were killed, the incident highlights Iran's evolving techniques to challenge American defenses. The Journal reports that Iran is modifying its missile attacks by altering missile types, flight paths, speeds, and maneuvers, making it harder for US air-defense systems to track and intercept incoming missiles.