Media: Trump fires back at reports of US munitions shortage

President Donald Trump has rejected reports that the United States is facing a shortage of munitions, while threatening “long term jail sentences” for officials suspected of leaking classified information about the state of the US military’s arsenal, BBC reports.

“The U.S. has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on August 6. “Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed.”

Trump and the Pentagon have faced mounting scrutiny over US weapons stocks following months of fighting with Iran, as efforts to secure a peace agreement remain elusive.

Iran has seized on reports of declining US inventories, saying its domestically produced weapons give it the ability to respond to any threat.

“Each day, the signs of the enemy's diminishing capabilities become more apparent,” Defence Minister Majid Ibn-e-Reza wrote on X. “But our Armed Forces - backed by the nation's defence industry - are fully equipped to respond to any threat.”

He added that “those who are now seeking to buy security and military superiority through imported systems will soon realise that Iran's indigenous technology is superior to any system in the region”.

The US has used large quantities of difficult-to-manufacture weapons during Operation Epic Fury and subsequent exchanges with Iran. CBS News, citing two unnamed sources with direct knowledge, reported that Washington had depleted much of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles.

The Washington Post also reported that Trump confronted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last week over a possible weapons shortfall, citing unnamed sources. The report has not been independently confirmed.

Trump called the alleged sources “leakers” and said they were “being hunted down.”

“Long term jail sentences will be sought!” he wrote.

In a subsequent post addressing the Washington Post report, Trump said: “I really believe their fake ‘reporting’ is treasonous!”

He also said: “I am extremely happy with the job that Pete Hegseth is doing.”

Precise figures on US missile inventories remain classified. However, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimates that the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles remaining by the end of July, roughly one-third of the estimated 2,330 available before the conflict.

CSIS also estimates that Washington has used about 60% of its THAAD interceptor missiles.

The pressure extends beyond Iran, with the US also supplying weapons to Ukraine and other partners. Rebuilding stocks could take years because many advanced weapons require lengthy funding, production and delivery timelines.

Last month, Hegseth requested $87 billion in emergency funding to pay service members and “rapidly replenish equipment and munitions.”

By Vafa Guliyeva