Pentagon watchdog confirms Iran war munitions shortfalls

The U.S. Defense Department’s inspector general says the war with Iran has produced “strategic inventory shortfalls” in munitions and industrial-base bottlenecks in resupply — directly contradicting President Donald Trump’s insistence that U.S. ammunition supplies are “virtually unlimited.” The independent watchdog found the United States spent more than $22 billion on munitions from February through June, contributing to inventory shortfalls. Overall war spending from Feb. 28 to June 30 reached $33.4 billion, including $3.7 billion in equipment losses and $7.4 billion in other expenditures. Among losses cited: four F-15E fighters, one F-35, and 30 MQ-9 drones. The report did not disclose remaining stockpile counts but said the Pentagon is working to streamline procurement and production lead times. A late-July CSIS estimate had already warned that stocks of some interceptors, including Patriot and THAAD, were significantly depleted — in some cases by more than half. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have branded shortage reporting as “fake news” or “not true.” The BBC said it contacted the White House for comment. Polls show the war is unpopular: a Reuters/Ipsos survey in early September found only 23% of Americans — and only half of Republicans — believe the U.S. is in a stronger position with Iran than before hostilities began. Source: BBC Does an official shortfall finding change how long Washington can sustain the Iran fight — and what it can spare for other crises? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9gk58xgng0vo