An F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet is pictured on aircraft carrier USS George Washington in this US Navy handout photo released on September 13, 2026. © US Navy via The US Defense Department's inspector general revealed Monday that the United States is facing a shortfall in ammunition as a result of its costly war in Iran. In a first-of-its-kind mandatory report to Congress, the inspector said that between February 28 and June 30, Operation Epic Fury (OEF) had an estimated cost of $33.4 billion, with $22.3 billion of that spent on expended munitions alone. The report noted "the munitions expenditure on OEF has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply".
It also lists losses to the American fleet, including four F-15s destroyed, one F-35 damaged, seven KC-135 tanker aircraft damaged and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed. President Donald Trump has repeatedly brushed off concerns of depleted weapons stores during the six months of war in the Middle East, saying the US has "virtually unlimited" ammo just a couple weeks ago. On Monday Trump posted to his Truth Social platform saying again the US is producing "more Exquisite and Elite Weapons than at any time in our History".
CNN previously reported that shortages of long-range guided missiles and air-defence interceptors had affected Trump's strategy in the conflict with Iran, with the US military having "nearly exhausted 80%" of its stock of THAAD interceptors. Read moreUS military faces ‘beyond critical’ shortage of Patriot missiles in Europe During the first 24 hours of war against Iran, the United States struck more than 1,000 targets, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said, and has not returned to such large scale attacks in recent months. The report notes that "Iranian strikes damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan during the conflict", but does not include those costs in the cost estimates, saying it's not yet clear if all the bases will be built, or who will foot the bill.
US military faces ‘beyond critical’ shortage of Patriot missiles in Europe Trump says record Navy deployment in Iran operations 'not nearly long enough' 1. 1 ## France apologises for diplomatic spat with US to lift block on new ambassador to Washington France 2. 2 ## Macron, Carney to visit North Atlantic French islands after Trump's map post Americas 3. 3 ## Sweden's centre-left holds razor-thin edge as exit polls show tight race Europe 4. 4 ## Tens of thousands protest against far-right AfD party in Germany Europe 5. 5 ## Swedes vote in close general election that could usher far right into government Europe 6. 6 ## Céline Dion makes historic Paris comeback, six years after last tour Culture © 2026 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. Audience ratings certified by ACPM.ACPM The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
