US President Donald Trump has pushed back against a CNN report detailing significant depletion of American weapons stockpiles following the military campaign against Iran.
On Thursday, Trump asserted that the United States possesses ‘massive’ amounts of munitions, particularly of certain types. His remarks came a day after CNN published findings on the shortages.
‘The U.S. has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types. Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed,’ he posted on Truth Social.
Trump also lashed out at those who leaked the information, writing: ‘Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history. The ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought!’
The controversy began on Tuesday when CNN, citing two sources familiar with the latest inventory report, disclosed that the US military has burned through nearly four-fifths of its THAAD missile inventory compared to pre-war numbers. The report also indicated that roughly half of its Patriot interceptors have been used since the start of the Iran war.
The inventory report further noted that the stockpile issue was raised again prior to Trump’s decision last weekend to cancel new strikes on Iran. According to CNN, the US Army has also used ‘virtually all’ of its highly accurate long-range, surface-to-air weapons during the conflict.
A separate report by the Washington Post on Wednesday revealed that Trump, during a meeting at the presidential retreat Camp David last week, vented anger at US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, expressing his belief that the munitions issue ‘had been fixed.’
The newspaper said Trump demanded answers from Hegseth on why he had apparently been misled about the extreme munitions shortages that threaten to limit military options with Iran.
The revelations come as the US continues its military engagement with Iran, raising questions about the sustainability of American firepower in prolonged conflicts. The situation underscores the strain on US military resources and the potential implications for global security dynamics.
This report is based on information from telesurenglish.net, which cited Xinhua as a source.