US interceptor stocks raise concern in Iran war

Concerns over US missile interceptor stocks have grown as renewed Iranian missile and drone attacks in the Middle East force Washington to keep using weapons needed to protect American troops.

The US military said this week it shot down multiple ballistic missiles fired by Tehran in what it called an "attempted surprise attack". The interception followed a deadly Iranian strike on American troops in Jordan earlier this month.

US Senator Chris Van Hollen said Sunday that the United States had depleted interceptors needed to protect American troops and was using them every day despite the risk of other conflicts.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously dismissed fears about US weapons supplies, and the US military has not publicly released details of how many interceptors it has. US media outlets have reported that General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has raised concerns about falling interceptor supplies.

President Donald Trump said Monday that US stocks were sufficient but that he wanted more of some advanced weapons. "We have a lot of ammunition, different types," he told journalists aboard Air Force One, adding that "for some of the more sophisticated stuff, we'd certainly like to have more."

The Center for Strategic and International Studies said this week that US stocks of key Patriot and THAAD air defence missiles had been reduced by the conflict. CSIS estimated that before the war began, the United States had more than 2,300 Patriot and more than 450 THAAD interceptors, and that those stocks had been roughly halved or more over five months.

The Defense Department announced a $58.6 billion, seven-year deal with Lockheed Martin for Patriot missile production this week. Lockheed Martin said the deal would deliver critical interceptors quickly.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the US military "has everything it needs" and has a deep arsenal to protect US people and interests.