American military stockpiles have been severely depleted by the war with Iran, according to a Pentagon report contradicting President Donald Trump’s claims of practically unlimited munitions, as the conflict enters its seventh month.
The Pentagon’s first mandatory report on the war with Iran, released in September 2026, revealed that the U.S. military has consumed 80% of its THAAD missile interceptors and half of its Patriot missiles since the conflict began in February 2026. The operation, dubbed Epická zúrivosť (Epic Fury), has drained strategic reserves and exposed industrial production limits, according to the report.
Pentagon Report Confirms Munitions Crisis
The consumption of munitions during the Epická zúrivosť operation led to shortages in strategic reserves and revealed limited industrial capacity to replenish them, the document stated.
The Pentagon acknowledged it is streamlining procurement processes to accelerate production of critical components, but emphasized that expanding manufacturing capacity requires significant preparation time. This aligns with a Washington Post report citing experts warning that replenishing key weapons could take at least two years.
Trump Dismisses Shortages as ‘Treasonous Scum’
Trump calls media ‘treasonous scum’ over reports of low
President Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed concerns about the shortages, claiming the U.S. has practically unlimited munitions and produces more outstanding and elite weapons than ever in our history. His comments, posted on Truth Social, directly contradicted the Pentagon’s findings.
Trump’s rhetoric has escalated tensions with the media, as seen in his August remarks where he called outlets reporting on the crisis treasonous scum
and vowed to “hunt down” leakers. Press freedom groups have documented increased federal scrutiny of journalists since his 2025 return to office.
CSIS Analysis Highlights Strategic Vulnerabilities
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) confirmed the Pentagon’s findings, noting that the U.S. began the war with approximately 2,200 Patriot missiles and 452 THAAD interceptors. By August, the army had exhausted nearly 80% of its THAAD stockpile and half of its Patriot missiles.
Experts warn that the shortages could weaken deterrence against adversaries with more advanced weaponry. The U.S. is facing a critical gap in its ability to defend bases and allies against Iranian missiles and drones, a former military official told the Washington Post.
Implications for U.S. Military Strategy
The conflict has exposed vulnerabilities in America’s defense industrial base, with the Pentagon admitting it lacks the capacity to rapidly scale up production. This comes amid Trump’s push for new defense contracts, which analysts say may not address the systemic challenges identified in the report.
USA majú problém, armáde došli zásoby munície. Správa Pentagonu
The situation raises questions about the long-term viability of U.S. military operations in the region. With the war stretching into its seventh month, the gap between reported capabilities and actual stockpiles has become a focal point of political and strategic debate.
Additional Details from Source Materials
The Pentagon’s report specifically cited the Epická zúrivosť operation, which ran from February 28 to June 30, and noted that 80% of THAAD missile interceptors and approximately half of Patriot missiles had been used. The report emphasized that industrial capacity to replenish these supplies was insufficient, requiring significant preparation time
for expansion.
Trump’s statements on Truth Social included claims that the U.S. was producing more outstanding and elite weapons than ever in our history and that military stockpiles were practically unlimited.
These assertions directly contradicted the Pentagon’s findings and the CSIS analysis, which cited the U.S. starting the war with 2,200 Patriot missiles and 452 THAAD interceptors.
The Washington Post reported that Trump had previously labeled media outlets covering the munitions crisis as treasonous scum
and threatened to “hunt down” those who leaked information. This rhetoric intensified amid the Pentagon’s acknowledgment of industrial limitations and the CSIS warning about the two-year timeline for replenishing key weapons.
Additional Context on Munitions Usage
Spojené štáty minuli na vojnu s Iránom miliardy. Pentagón
The CSIS report detailed that the U.S. military had used nearly 80% of its THAAD missile stockpile and approximately half of its Patriot missiles by August. The report also highlighted the strain on defensive capabilities, noting that the depletion of these systems could jeopardize the protection of U.S. bases and regional allies against Iranian missile and drone threats.
Strategic and Industrial Challenges
The Pentagon’s report outlined efforts to streamline procurement processes, including shortening timelines for creating stockpiles of critical materials and components. However, it emphasized that expanding production capacity would require significant preparation time,
reflecting the challenges of scaling up defense manufacturing. This aligns with expert assessments that replenishing key weapons, such as Tomahawk missiles, JASSMs, and PrSMs, could take at least two years despite new Trump administration agreements with defense contractors.
Public and Political Reactions
The conflict has sparked debates about the sustainability of U.S. military operations and the adequacy of defense industrial capacity. The CSIS analysis, which provided the initial stockpile figures, underscored the strategic vulnerabilities exposed by the war. Meanwhile, Trump’s dismissive stance on munitions shortages has drawn criticism from defense analysts and media watchdogs, who argue that his rhetoric undermines transparency and accountability.
Broader Implications for National Security
The depletion of critical munitions and the challenges in replenishing them have raised concerns about the U.S. military’s ability to maintain deterrence in the region. The Pentagon’s acknowledgment of industrial limitations, coupled with Trump’s denial of shortages, highlights a growing disconnect between official narratives and operational realities. This dynamic has intensified scrutiny of defense policy and the long-term viability of U.S. military commitments abroad.