Pentagon Report Reveals US Weapons Shortages Amid Iran War.
new Pentagon watchdog report has revealed significant shortages in some U.S. weapons stocks following the country’s war with Iran, contradicting President Donald Trump’s recent claims that the United States has sufficient weapons and ammunition.
The findings were contained in a report submitted to Congress on Monday by the Lead Inspector General, overseeing Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign against Iran. The report assesses the impact of the conflict through June 30, 2026.
According to the report, the United States spent about $33.4 billion on the operation between February 28 and June 30. Of that amount, approximately $22.3 billion was spent on munitions, highlighting the scale of weapons consumption during the conflict.
The report also points to significant losses and damage to U.S. military equipment during the war. Among the assets affected were four F-15E fighter jets, one F-35A, seven KC-135 refuelling aircraft and more than 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
The findings raise concerns about the ability of the U.S. defence industry to replenish weapons stocks quickly enough to sustain prolonged military operations. The watchdog report identified shortfalls in advanced munitions as well as bottlenecks in the defence supply chain.
The report comes after repeated assurances from Trump and senior U.S. defence officials that the country had ample weapons available for the conflict. Trump has publicly maintained that the United States has enough ammunition, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has simultaneously urged the defence industry to increase weapons production.
The Pentagon’s own reporting has previously acknowledged the scale of the military effort. U.S. Central Command said Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 and involved thousands of combat flights and strikes against Iranian military targets.
The newly released assessment therefore presents a more complicated picture of U.S. military readiness: while Washington retains a vast stockpile and substantial industrial capacity, the pace of weapons consumption during the Iran conflict exposed shortages and supply-chain constraints that could become more serious if the United States is drawn into another prolonged war.
The report is likely to intensify debate in Congress over the cost of Operation Epic Fury, the condition of U.S. weapons stocks and whether American defence manufacturers can produce munitions quickly enough to meet the demands of sustained military operations.
