President Donald Trump on Thursday forcefully pushed back against reports that six months of fighting with Iran have dangerously drained U.S. weapons inventories, insisting that the American military possesses “virtually unlimited amounts” of mid- and high-grade ammunition while production of additional weaponry is being dramatically expanded.
In a social media post, Trump attacked news organizations that have highlighted concerns about dwindling military stockpiles, maintaining that the United States has considerably more ammunition available than it could realistically consume during the Iran war or even another potential military conflict.
“For the treasonous SCUM that refuses to accurately report on our Military Operation in Iran, we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War (which is highly unlikely!), that could improbably take place,” he wrote.
Trump further maintained that American weapons manufacturers are now turning out munitions “at levels never seen before,” with the administration focusing on rebuilding and expanding domestic reserves in preparation for any future military emergency.
“We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that could happen. We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again, begin,” he said.
The president’s remarks come as questions continue to mount over how extensively the prolonged war against Iran has reduced American weapons reserves, with particular attention being paid to sophisticated missiles and interceptors used in air defense systems.
Recent reports have indicated that U.S. supplies stationed in Europe of PAC-3 Patriot air defense interceptors and Army Tactical Missile Systems, commonly known as ATACMS, have dropped sharply. Some military officials have reportedly characterized current inventory levels as “beyond critical.”
Separate independent assessments have similarly pointed to especially significant pressure on stocks of advanced defensive weaponry, including Patriot and THAAD interceptors, which have played important roles in protecting against incoming missile threats.
To sustain operations in the Middle East, the United States has transferred some military equipment from positions in Europe and Asia. Those movements have prompted questions about whether diverting weapons to the Iran theater could leave American forces with fewer resources available should another major confrontation erupt elsewhere.
The Trump administration and Pentagon officials have rejected claims that reduced inventories have compromised the U.S. military’s ability to fulfill its operational responsibilities.
Trump conceded last month that stocks of certain weapons had become “a little bit tighter,” while emphasizing that supplies of other categories of ammunition remained virtually unlimited. He has also repeatedly called on defense manufacturers to dramatically speed up production.
An analysis released earlier this year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies concluded that the United States possessed enough missiles to sustain combat against Iran under several plausible scenarios. The assessment nevertheless cautioned that continued high rates of weapons expenditure could leave the military facing greater vulnerabilities during a subsequent conflict.
According to the analysis, during just the first 39 days of operations against Iran, the United States may have used more than half of its prewar inventory in four of seven categories of critical munitions examined. Replacing weapons consumed at that pace, the analysis warned, could require years.
Trump said Thursday that his administration is currently placing replenishment of America’s own weapons reserves ahead of foreign military sales. He indicated, however, that weapons sales to U.S. allies will eventually restart.
The president also pointed to the Biden administration’s extensive military support for Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion, blaming those transfers for significantly reducing the weapons inventories Trump inherited.
“Also, please let it be known, that the Biden Administration gave far more Munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran,” Trump said. “Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly!”
Federal oversight data shows that from Russia’s February 2022 invasion through March 2026, the United States committed more than $67.8 billion in defense equipment and services to Ukraine.
That military support encompassed weapons taken directly from existing American inventories, along with funding used to purchase newly manufactured weapons and replace equipment removed from U.S. stockpiles.
{Matzav.com}
