Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday to deny reports that the United States is running low on munitions, calling leaked information about potential shortfalls “treasonous” and vowing to seek long-term jail sentences for those responsible.
“The US has massive amounts of munitions, especially of certain types,” Trump posted.
“Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed.”
He followed up with a direct attack on the Washington Post, which had reported that Trump confronted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last week over a possible weapons shortfall.
“I really believe their fake reporting is treasonous,” he wrote.
“The leakers of these treasonous statements are being hunted down.”
The denials come as mounting independent analysis suggests the picture may be more complicated than the administration acknowledges. CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, reported that America has burned through much of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles during the conflict, citing two sources with direct knowledge. Using publicly available data, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that by the end of July the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles remaining, roughly a third of the 2,330 available before the war began. The same analysis estimated the US has used approximately 60 percent of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missiles.
Restoring Tomahawk missile stocks to pre-war levels is projected to take until around 2031, based on current production timelines and pending Congressional budget approvals.
The administration has consistently pushed back. Hegseth called reports of a stockpile shortage a “manufactured story” during a June television appearance, while simultaneously requesting 87 billion dollars in emergency Senate funding to replenish equipment and munitions. Trump told the Wall Street Journal last month the US had “far more munitions than anyone in the world.”
Iran was quick to respond to the coverage. Defence Minister Majid Ibn-e-Reza posted on Thursday that his country’s locally produced weapons gave it the ability to respond to any threat.
“Each day, the signs of the enemy’s diminishing capabilities become more apparent,” he wrote, adding that Iran’s indigenous technology was superior to any system in the region.
The war with Iran is now in its sixth month. A peace deal remains elusive. Precise information on US missile stocks remains classified. And the gap between what the administration is saying and what independent analysts are estimating continues to widen.
Trump says the supplies are fine. The hunt for whoever suggested otherwise is now underway.
