Iran, Ukraine wars depleted 'virtually all' US long-range missiles: Report
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/media-library/atacms.jpg?id=67571400&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C198%2C0%2C202" />
Reuters reported this morning that the U.S. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-has-used-virtually-all-its-long-range-precision-missiles-during-iran-war-2026-08-04/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">has used “virtually all” its long-range precision strike missiles during its war on Iran.
Reuters’ sources https://www.reuters.com/world/us-has-used-virtually-all-its-long-range-precision-missiles-during-iran-war-2026-08-04/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">would not say exactly how many of these surface to surface weapons, known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), the U.S. military has left.
This comes amid news that the U.S. https://www.csis.org/analysis/renewed-iran-war-would-test-diminished-interceptor-inventories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">has burned through other key weapons systems since war with Iran began.
Last week, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) https://www.csis.org/analysis/renewed-iran-war-would-test-diminished-interceptor-inventories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">estimated the U.S. has fewer than 827 Patriot missiles, and fewer than 278 THAAD ballistic missile interceptors, in its stockpiles.
But the depletion began long ago with the Ukraine war.
Since 2022, the U.S. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/missile-stockpiles/" target="_self">gave weapons to Kyiv at rates https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-stockpiles-missiles/" target="_self">faster than it could replace them, including https://en.defence-ua.com/news/empty_patriot_launchers_in_ukraine_explained_only_600_interceptors_received_in_three_years_against_250_ballistics_this_winter_alone-17766.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patriot missile interceptors and an https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/17/politics/us-ukraine-long-range-atacm-missiles" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">unspecified number of ATACMS.
Despite the growing body of evidence, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0qvnk2ezp7o" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">President Donald Trump, https://abcnews.com/Politics/hegseth-us-munitions-continue-iran-war-long/story?id=130806959" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/mike-waltz-dismisses-concerns-depleted-us-weapons-stockpile-iran-war-rcna589281" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UN Ambassador Mike Waltz have repeatedly denied the U.S. is running low on critical munitions.
Not surprisingly, the U.S. has taken great strides to procure munitions in recent months, including https://responsiblestatecraft.org/iran-war-funding/" target="_self">repeatedly floating major spending packages to replenish depleted stockpiles.
The latest: https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/pentagon-seeks-18-2-billion-in-war-funds-for-interceptors-article-13990622.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a $18.2 billion request for more money for the Pentagon budget.
Earlier this spring, the Pentagon https://defence-blog.com/raytheon-gets-441m-urgent-gem-t-missile-order/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">awarded RTX a $441 million contract for PAC-2 missiles — older Patriot missiles, which the U.S. has not ordered https://www.twz.com/land/u-s-army-is-buying-older-pac-2-patriot-missiles-for-the-first-time-in-decades" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in decades.
The Pentagon has also https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/whats-news/pentagon-asks-carmakers-to-boost-weapons-production/cb86d5ad-31f5-44d1-ba09-bfeca2958776" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">asked civilian companies, such as Ford, GM, and Oshkosh, to consider making weapons.
Last month, a U.S. official https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/07/19/us-teeters-return-all-out-war-with-iran-after-more-troops-killed/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">told the Washington Post that there weren't enough munitions to sustain military operations in the Middle East. "I don't think the White House is aware of that,” the official https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/07/19/us-teeters-return-all-out-war-with-iran-after-more-troops-killed/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">said.
Munitions are expensive and https://www.csis.org/analysis/six-reasons-why-united-states-low-munitions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">often take years to build.