President Donald Trump denied reports that the United States is facing a weapons shortage amid the prolonged conflict with Iran, insisting that the country maintains extensive munitions stockpiles and pledging to seek lengthy prison sentences for officials who disclose classified information.
In a Truth Social post Thursday morning, Trump wrote: “The U.S. has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types. Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed.”
He added: “The ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought!”
Trump’s comments come as the conflict with Iran enters its sixth month. The United States and Iran have continued exchanging strikes despite intermittent pauses, and no comprehensive agreement has been reached to end the fighting.
Recent reports have raised questions about the condition of U.S. weapons stockpiles following the extensive use of precision munitions during Operation Epic Fury and subsequent exchanges with Iran.
CBS News, citing two unnamed sources with direct knowledge of the matter, reported that the United States had expended a substantial portion of its worldwide inventory of long-range precision missiles. The Washington Post separately reported that Trump confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week over a possible shortfall. The BBC said it had not independently confirmed that account.
Precise figures covering U.S. missile inventories remain classified. However, the Center for Strategic and International Studies used publicly available information to estimate that the United States held between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles at the end of July, down from approximately 2,330 at the beginning of the conflict.
Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser at the think tank, has also estimated that the United States used approximately 60% of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors.
Pressure on American weapons stockpiles extends beyond the war with Iran. The United States has supplied Ukraine with significant quantities of Patriot missiles since Russia invaded the country in 2022, while Kyiv has continued requesting additional air-defense systems.
At a Cabinet meeting Friday, Trump described the prospect of approving additional shipments to Ukraine as a “big step,” while saying the two governments were “still talking about” the request. Cancian has argued that declining inventories could lead the Pentagon to prioritize keeping the remaining systems for U.S. forces.
Many advanced weapons systems require lengthy funding, ordering, manufacturing and delivery schedules, limiting the government’s ability to replace missiles quickly after they are used.
The administration has nevertheless maintained that American stockpiles remain sufficient. Trump told the Wall Street Journal last month: “We have far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need.”
Hegseth described reports of a shortage as a “manufactured story” during a June 14 appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation. He has also said the United States is accelerating weapons production.
Last month, Hegseth requested $87 billion in emergency funding from the Senate to cover military personnel costs and to “rapidly replenish equipment and munitions.”
