US depleted 'virtually all' long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Report

What Happened

The United States has reportedly exhausted its stockpiles of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) following sustained military operations against Iran that began on 28 February. According to Reuters, US Central Command has been forced to divert munitions from other global theatres to maintain operations. The depletion of these long-range precision weapons, alongside dwindling supplies of Patriot interceptors, follows a conflict cycle that included a June 2025 escalation and subsequent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump, who previously threatened a large-scale offensive against Iran, has recently signaled a pause in operations, citing requests from Gulf states to avoid further escalation.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The depletion of precision-guided munitions and defensive interceptors highlights significant constraints on US power projection capabilities in the Middle East. The reliance on global stockpiles to sustain the conflict suggests that the current operational tempo is straining US military readiness, potentially limiting the administration's ability to execute large-scale strikes or maintain regional deterrence against other adversaries.

Watch For

Monitor for further developments regarding the reported ceasefire negotiations and any official confirmation from the US Department of Defense regarding the status of its long-range missile inventories. Additionally, observe whether the reported shortage of Patriot interceptors impacts the ability of the US to provide defensive support to regional partners.