US runs low on long‑range missiles amid ongoing war with Iran
The United States has exhausted most of its stock of precision long‑range missiles, including the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the newer Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), in the five‑month conflict with Iran, according to multiple sources. The ATACMS rockets, previously supplied to Ukraine and used to strike targets inside Russia, are now at critically low levels, and the newer PrSM missiles were limited from the start.
Analysts warn that the shortfall could compel the U.S. to shift to riskier manned bomber attacks if President Donald Trump orders a large‑scale strike on Iranian targets. The White House has countered, stating the United States possesses “more weapons than any other country in the world and far more than we need.” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell echoed the claim, saying the U.S. military is the most powerful and fully equipped.
In addition to the ATACMS/PrSM depletion, U.S. forces have used roughly 80 % of their interceptor missiles, including THAAD, Patriot and Tomahawk systems, during the Iran war. Replenishing THAAD to pre‑conflict levels is projected to take at least three years, raising concerns among regional allies about the ability to defend against Iranian drones and missiles.
Entities: ATACMS · Donald Trump · Iran · PrSM · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Depletion of these missiles may force the United States to rely on riskier manned bomber missions for attacks on Iran. (First and second articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sources say U.S. missile stockpiles could be insufficient for a prolonged conflict with Iran. (All three articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the U.S. military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs. (Second and third articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ATACMS missiles were supplied to Ukraine and used to strike targets inside Russia. (First article)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The United States has used up almost all of its ATACMS and PrSM long‑range missiles in the war with Iran. (All three articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] U.S. forces have used roughly 80 % of their interceptor missiles (THAAD, Patriot, Tomahawk) during the conflict with Iran. (Third article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Replenishing THAAD to pre‑war levels could take at least three years. (Third article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The White House claims the United States has more weapons than any other country and more than it needs. (Second article)