CNN reported overnight that the US military has used approximately 80% of its pre-war THAAD interceptor stockpile and about half of its Patriot missile arsenal during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The report adds a major on-the-record source to the previously unverified claims of US missile defense depletion, as The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday.
CNN confirmed overnight that the US military has expended approximately 80% of its pre-war THAAD interceptor stockpile and about half of its Patriot missile arsenal during the conflict with Iran, citing US officials. The report provides the first on-the-record confirmation of a figure that had previously circulated only in an unverified report on Tuesday afternoon, as The Zioneer reported.
The confirmation caps a series of disclosures over the past weeks. On Tuesday, August 4, at 13:59 Jerusalem, Reuters reported that the US had used nearly all of its ATACMS and PrSM precision long-range missiles, and later that day added that most surface-to-surface missiles and half of the Tomahawk cruise missile stockpile had been expended. Later that same afternoon, an unverified report claimed the US Army had used about 80% of its primary missile interceptors. Prior to that, on July 21, The Washington Post reported, citing a US official, that months of fighting had depleted Patriot and THAAD stocks, severely limiting Washington's ability to sustain a larger war.
The new CNN report aligns with earlier reporting by The Zioneer and CNN that President Trump halted planned strikes on Iran after Gulf allies warned of retaliation and US missile defenses were deemed low. The depletion raises concerns about the US' ability to continue a high-tempo air campaign and defend allies in the region. The exact remaining stockpile numbers and replenishment timelines remain undisclosed.
5 developments
- DevelopingWashington Post: months of fighting Iran depleted US Patriot and THAAD interceptor stocks, official says
- DevelopingFormer US official: Iran has restored about 50% of its missile stockpile
- DevelopingReport: Iran restored ~75% of missile arsenal during ceasefire with Russian help
- DevelopingUS facing dwindling Patriot and THAAD missile stockpiles, report says
Source and signal
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