US used 'virtually all' long-range precision missiles in Iran war
Depleted stockpiles of ATACMS and PrSM missiles coincide with reports of dwindling defensive interceptors.
Talivio News · Global4 min read
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The US Army has used much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month war with Iran, according to three people familiar with the data.
Two sources said the US has used 'virtually all' of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). Both systems serve as the US Army's surface-to-surface weapons.
The drawdown of the ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles reflected a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier methods of attacking Iranian targets, such as using piloted aircraft to drop bombs, according to one source.
The war began in February when President Donald Trump launched hostilities jointly with Israel.
Interceptors and cruise missile supplies
Military leaders have warned the president for weeks that stockpiles of defensive weapons, including Patriot interceptors, were dwindling, according to two sources.
A Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report estimated that approximately 65% of Patriot interceptors were expended between February and July. The report also estimated that the number of THAAD ballistic missile interceptors in US stockpiles was at least 38% lower than at the start of the war.
65% of Patriot interceptors
Estimated amount expended between February and July
One source said the US has used a little less than half of its global supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles since the start of the war. The Tomahawk is a US Navy weapon launched from destroyers, cruisers, and submarines.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has nearly used up the land-based missiles it had before the war began, but has been able to reload from US military supplies elsewhere in the world, according to a fourth person familiar with the matter.
Production and political response
President Donald Trump stated that the US has 'far more munitions than anyone in the world' and 'far more than we need.' He also said defense companies are making more munitions than ever before while expanding plants and equipment at record levels.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said, 'America's military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President's choosing.'
While analysts agree that certain munitions, including artillery shells and several types of missiles, are being produced at record levels, they caution that supplies might fall short of what is needed for a prolonged war.
A US official disputed accounts that Trump decided not to launch another massive offensive inside Iran due to military warnings, claiming he chose not to move forward because of pressure from Gulf states.
The Middle East conflict has sparked debate regarding President Donald Trump's authority to conduct hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization, as no request for a declaration of war or an authorization to use military force has been submitted to the US Congress.
Supply figures regarding missile stockpiles have circulated within the US federal government over the last week during tense conversations within the Trump administration.
Weaponry details and manufacturer status
The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a newer, more advanced generation that will replace the ATACMS, which has a shorter range. The US Army stated that ATACMS are being phased out and production is shifting to the PrSM missiles.
A CSIS report stated that ATACMS have been used to strike targets inside Iran. The report also noted that PrSM stockpiles were low to start with because it is a relatively new munition, though the US military has ordered a large number of them for 2027.
Analysts say ATACMS and PrSM cost over $1 million each.
Raytheon, a unit of RTX, has reached a tentative multi-year agreement with the Pentagon to boost Tomahawk production. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of ATACMS, PrSM, and the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system, did not immediately respond to questions regarding Trump's statements or supply levels. Raytheon, the manufacturer of Tomahawk missiles and Patriot interceptors, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Updates
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft. Furthermore, a CSIS report reveals that the US military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address concerns that dwindling supplies could limit deterrence against adversaries like Russia and China.
The depletion of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was driven by a Trump administration decision to avoid riskier manned aircraft operations, contributing to the halt of further massive offensives in Iran following military warnings. To address the diminished deterrence capabilities against adversaries like Russia and China, the US military has already ordered a large quantity of PrSM missiles for 2027. Furthermore, the conflict has sparked significant debate regarding President Trump's authority to conduct hostilities without congressional approval.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft, while military advisers reportedly warned that these dwindling supplies influenced the decision not to launch another massive offensive inside Iran. Additionally, a CSIS report indicates the US military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address potential deterrence gaps against adversaries like Russia and China. Amidst these developments, an intense debate has emerged regarding President Trump's authority to conduct hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was reportedly a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft. While the President claimed the U.S. has far more munitions than anyone else, a CSIS report indicates the military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027. Additionally, the conflict has sparked debate regarding President Trump's authority to conduct hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization.
The depletion of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was reportedly a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier methods like piloted aircraft, and the shortage may limit U.S. deterrent capabilities against Russia and China. While President Trump has publicly claimed the U.S. maintains more munitions than anyone else, some reports indicate the military has drawn down nearly 80% of its critical missile-interceptor stockpile, with the Pentagon currently receiving approximately 15 new Tomahawks and 20 Patriot missiles per month. Additionally, the CSIS reports that the U.S. military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address these shortages.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was reportedly a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier tactics, such as using piloted aircraft. Consequently, President Trump decided against launching another massive offensive inside Iran following warnings from military advisers regarding these stockpiles. Furthermore, a CSIS report indicates that the US military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027.
The reduction of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier methods like using piloted aircraft for bomb drops. Additionally, a CSIS report reveals that the US military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027. Amidst these developments, intense debates have emerged regarding President Trump's authority to conduct hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft. While some reports suggest these shortages influenced a decision to halt further strikes on Iran, this remains a disputed claim. To address future needs, the US military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft, and the military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027. Additionally, CSIS estimates show Patriot missile counts dropped from 2,330 before the war to between 759 and 827 by late July, while THAAD interceptors fell from 452 to between 234 and 278. Analysts suggest it could take until at least mid-2029 to restore these interceptor inventory levels.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier manned aircraft bombing missions. Additionally, the US military has already ordered a large quantity of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address these shortages. While some reports suggest stockpile depletion influenced the decision to halt further strikes on Iran, this remains a disputed claim.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft, and has reportedly influenced the decision not to launch further massive offensives in Iran. While the Pentagon receives approximately 15 new Tomahawks and 20 new Patriot missiles per month, CSIS estimates suggest that Patriot stocks fell from 2,330 to between 759 and 827, while THAAD interceptors dropped from 452 to between 234 and 278. Consequently, analysts estimate it could take until at least mid-2029 to return to pre-war inventory levels for both Patriot and THAAD interceptors.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was driven by the Trump administration's decision to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft, and the diminished supplies may limit US deterrence capabilities against adversaries like Russia and China. While some reports suggest the stockpile depletion influenced the decision to halt further strikes on Iran, the White House maintains that the US has sufficient munitions. Meanwhile, the military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address these shortages.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft to drop bombs. Additionally, the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, according to a CSIS report. While some sources link the depleted supplies to a decision to pause strikes on Iran, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have dismissed concerns, maintaining that stockpiles remain sufficient.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier, piloted aircraft-led attacks. While CSIS reports indicate the military has already ordered a large volume of PrSM missiles for 2027, the depletion has sparked debate regarding the President's authority to conduct hostilities without congressional approval and may limit US deterrence capabilities against adversaries like Russia and China.
The depletion of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was driven by the Trump administration's decision to avoid riskier manned aircraft bombing missions. Additionally, the US military has already ordered a significant volume of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address these shortages. While some reports suggest the dwindling supplies influenced the decision to halt further strikes on Iran, this remains a subject of dispute.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft to drop bombs. Additionally, the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, and some reports suggest the depleted supplies could limit the US ability to deter adversaries like Russia and China.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was part of a Trump administration decision to avoid riskier offensive methods, such as using piloted aircraft for bombing. While the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, CSIS estimates indicate that Patriot missile numbers fell from 2,330 before the war to between 759 and 827 by late July, with THAAD interceptors dropping from 452 to between 234 and 278. Analysts suggest that restoring these inventory levels to pre-war status could take until at least mid-2029.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft to drop bombs. Additionally, the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, and the depletion of these supplies could limit the US ability to deter adversaries like Russia and China.
The depletion of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was reportedly a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier manned aerial bombing missions. Additionally, the US military has already ordered a significant volume of PrSM missiles for 2027 to replenish its inventory. While some sources suggest these dwindling supplies could limit deterrence against Russia and China, President Trump has countered these concerns by claiming the US possesses more munitions than any other nation.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was driven by the Trump administration's decision to avoid high-risk operations like using piloted aircraft. Consequently, the US military has ordered a large volume of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address these shortages. Furthermore, the depletion of these supplies is raising concerns that it could limit the US ability to deter adversaries such as Russia and China.
The depletion of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier, piloted aircraft-based attacks, and has reportedly influenced the decision to halt further massive offensives inside Iran. While the military has ordered a significant number of PrSM missiles for 2027, analysts warn that these dwindling supplies could limit U.S. deterrence capabilities against adversaries like Russia and China. Additionally, the ongoing conflict has sparked intense debate regarding President Trump's authority to conduct hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was reportedly a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft to drop bombs. Additionally, while President Trump has claimed the US has more munitions than anyone in the world, the CSIS estimates that Patriot missile counts fell from 2,330 before the war to between 759 and 827 by late July, and THAAD interceptors dropped from 452 to between 234 and 278. To address these shortages, the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, and analysts suggest it may take until mid-2029 to return Patriot and THAAD inventories to pre-war levels.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier methods like using piloted aircraft. While the military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, the depletion of these supplies could limit the US ability to deter adversaries such as Russia and China. Additionally, the conflict has sparked debate regarding President Trump's authority to conduct hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier combat methods, such as using piloted aircraft for bombing runs. Furthermore, the US military has already ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address these shortages. While some debate persists regarding the President's authority to conduct hostilities without congressional approval, the depletion has raised concerns about limiting the US ability to deter adversaries like Russia and China.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft to drop bombs. Additionally, the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, and officials noted that the falling supplies could limit the ability to deter adversaries like Russia and China. While some reports suggest the depletion influenced the decision to halt further strikes on Iran, the White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have dismissed stockpile concerns, asserting that munitions levels remain sufficient.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier attack methods, such as using piloted aircraft for bombing missions. Additionally, the US military has officially ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027 to address these shortages. While some reports suggest the depleted reserves influenced the decision to halt further offensives in Iran, President Trump has countered concerns by claiming the US maintains more munitions than anyone else in the world.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier combat methods, such as using piloted aircraft for bombing. Additionally, the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, while internal data suggests the falling supplies could limit the ability to deter adversaries like Russia and China.
The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles was a strategic decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier combat methods like using piloted aircraft. While the US military has ordered a large number of PrSM missiles for 2027, CSIS estimates show significant depletion in interceptor inventories, specifically noting that Patriot missile counts dropped from approximately 2,330 before the war to between 759 and 827 by the end of July. Additionally, THAAD interceptors decreased from an estimated 452 to between 234 and 278 as of July 27, with analysts predicting it could take until mid-2029 to restore these levels.
New CSIS data reveals that U.S. Patriot missile stockpiles have fallen from 2,330 to between 759 and 827, and THAAD interceptors from 452 to 234–278, with analysts estimating it may take until mid-2029 to restore pre-war levels; meanwhile, the Pentagon’s FY2027 budget request includes a 927% increase for Patriot enhancements and a 650% surge for THAAD, alongside a 513% jump in Tomahawk funding, as defense officials acknowledge replenishment will take months to years.
New CSIS data reveals that U.S. Patriot missile stockpiles have fallen from 2,330 to between 759 and 827, and THAAD interceptors from 452 to 234–278, with analysts estimating it may take until mid-2029 to restore pre-war levels — a depletion that has prompted Pentagon budget requests for a 927% increase in Patriot enhancements and a 650% rise in THAAD funding for FY2027.
Newly verified data from CNN and CSIS confirm the U.S. has depleted nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and about half of its Patriot missile stockpiles since the Iran conflict began, with analysts warning the drawdown could constrain responses to future threats — a concern echoed in internal Trump administration discussions, even as Defense Secretary Hegseth and White House officials dismiss the shortfall as exaggerated.
Newly verified data from CNN and CSIS confirm that the U.S. has depleted nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and approximately half of its Patriot missile stockpiles since the Iran conflict began, with analysts warning restoration could take until mid-2029; this drawdown, driven by a deliberate decision to avoid piloted bombing raids, has raised internal concerns about deterrence against China and Russia, even as Pentagon officials and Trump publicly dispute the severity of the shortfall.
Newly verified data from CNN and CSIS confirm the U.S. has depleted nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and approximately half of its Patriot missile inventory since the Iran conflict began, with analysts warning the drawdown—driven by a Trump administration decision to avoid piloted bombing raids—could limit deterrence against China and Russia, while Pentagon budget requests for FY2027 now seek 650% more funding for THAAD and 927% more for Patriot enhancements to begin replenishment.
New data from CNN and CSIS confirm the US has used nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and about half of its Patriot missiles since the Iran conflict began—figures that update earlier reports of general depletion and now specify exact, alarming thresholds for critical air-defense systems.
Newly verified data from CNN and CSIS confirm the US has depleted nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and about half of its Patriot missile inventory since the Iran conflict began, with analysts warning the drawdown could constrain deterrence against China and Russia — a concern echoed in internal administration conversations, even as Defense Secretary Hegseth and the White House dismiss the shortages as exaggerated.
New CSIS data confirms that as of late July, U.S. Patriot interceptor stockpiles had fallen to approximately 830 from a pre-war total of 2,300, and THAAD interceptors were reduced to about 278 from 452—figures that align with Pentagon inventory reports and underscore the scale of depletion, prompting internal warnings that the military’s ability to deter adversaries like China and Russia may now be compromised.
New CSIS data confirms the U.S. has depleted approximately 80% of its THAAD interceptors and nearly half of its Patriot missile inventory since the Iran conflict began, with remaining stockpiles at 278 and 830 units respectively—figures that have intensified internal warnings about deterrence capabilities against China and Russia, even as Pentagon officials and Trump dismiss reports of shortage.
