The United States has depleted large portions of its key missile defense stockpiles during the war with Iran, raising concerns in the Pentagon and among regional allies, according to a report by CNN.
Citing multiple sources familiar with internal assessments, CNN reported on Tuesday that the US military has used nearly 80% of its interceptors for a major missile defense system, with senior commanders warning that overall munitions levels are now “dangerously low.”
Stockpiles of advanced air defense systems have been hit particularly hard. The report said the US has burned through nearly four-fifths of its THAAD missile inventory and about half of its Patriot interceptors since the start of the war.
Before the war, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated US stockpiles at around 452 THAAD missiles and roughly 2,200 Patriot interceptors.
“The Pentagon’s munitions stockpile is ‘dangerously low,’” senior military officials warned, according to CNN.
The US military has exhausted nearly 80% of its interceptors for a key missile defense system as senior US military commanders are warning that the Pentagon's munitions stockpile is "dangerously low," according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. https://t.co/Nh4zoWehke pic.twitter.com/p6NQ1IBJY0
— CNN (@CNN) August 4, 2026
The shortages have also alarmed US allies in the Gulf, who rely heavily on American air defense systems. Officials told CNN that dwindling inventories could weaken their ability to counter potential Iranian missile or drone retaliation, particularly in the event of further escalation.
“The US military has burned through nearly four-fifths of its THAAD missile inventory… and roughly half of its Patriot interceptors,” sources familiar with the report said.
CNN added that the US Army has used “virtually all” of its long-range precision surface-to-air weapons during the conflict, underscoring the strain on critical defense capabilities.
Strikes on Iran Called Off
The report said concerns over dwindling stockpiles were among the factors that led US President Donald Trump to halt planned large-scale strikes on Iran over the weekend.
Although Trump had initially approved the operation and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had received the final order, the plan was shelved after consultations with regional allies, who warned of the risks of Iranian retaliation, particularly against energy infrastructure.
Despite the concerns, Pentagon officials sought to project confidence.
“America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN.
“We have executed multiple successful operations… while ensuring the U.S. military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests,” he added.
The developments highlight growing strain on US military resources, with questions mounting over sustainability in the event of a prolonged or expanded confrontation with the Islamic Republic.
Source: CNN (edited by Al-Manar English Website)