Pentagon holds emergency meeting over weapons shortage after Trump call

The Pentagon convened an emergency meeting of senior military and defence acquisition officials last week to address shortages of U.S. weapons following an angry phone call from President Donald Trump.

According to US media citing four people familiar with the matter, Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen Feinberg gathered the officials to discuss ways to quickly replenish depleted weapons stocks.

The publication said Trump expressed frustration that the shortage had become one of the factors influencing whether he would expand U.S. combat operations against Iran, according to sources.

Asked about the reported meeting, the White House rejected the account, describing it as "100% fake news."

Earlier, Trump had insisted the United States has ample ammunition stockpiles and warned that those responsible for what he called "treasonous" claims about shortages could face lengthy prison sentences.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US possessed "massive amounts" of munitions, particularly certain types, and that domestic defence production was expanding rapidly, with new factories being built across the country.

His comments came after reports that Trump had pressed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet meeting over reported shortages of key weapons, including air defence missiles.

The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, said Hegseth attributed the issue to his deputy, Stephen Feinberg. US officials denied reports of a heated exchange, calling them unfounded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev