Since the outbreak of the conflict with Iran in late February, the United States has rapidly depleted significant portions of its strategic missile stockpiles, raising concerns about the nation’s long-term military readiness. According to internal Pentagon estimates and congressional officials, U.S. forces have launched approximately 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles, originally designed for potential conflicts with China, nearly exhausting the existing inventory.

The military has also expended more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles—roughly ten times the annual production rate—and over 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles, which cost in excess of $4 million each. In addition, over 1,000 Precision Strike and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ground-based missiles have been fired. This high rate of use has significantly strained the U.S. munitions supply, forcing the Pentagon to reroute weapons from regional commands in Asia and Europe to support operations in the Middle East.

The rapid drawdown has prompted concerns among defense officials and lawmakers about the readiness of U.S. forces to confront other potential adversaries, including Russia and China. "At current production rates, reconstituting what we have expended could take years," said Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

A recent study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that while the United States maintains adequate inventories of many munitions, certain critical ground-attack and missile-defense weapons were already in limited supply before the war and are now depleted further. The conflict has underscored the Pentagon’s heavy reliance on costly munitions such as air-defense interceptors, highlighting the challenges defense industries face in rapidly producing more affordable alternatives like attack drones.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed reports of insufficient stockpiles, stating that the United States remains "fully loaded with more than enough weapons and munitions, in stockpiles here at home and all around the globe," to meet any operational demands. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to provide details on munitions usage or global resource capabilities, citing operational security.

Independent analysts estimate that the war has cost U.S. taxpayers between $28 billion and $35 billion, averaging nearly $1 billion per day. Defense officials informed lawmakers that munitions expenditure in the first two days alone amounted to approximately $5.6 billion.

Efforts to replenish depleted inventories face administrative hurdles. The Defense Department has announced agreements with major contractors, including Lockheed Martin, to expand production of precision-guided munitions and missile interceptors such as THAAD. These agreements, aimed at quadrupling output, rely on congressional approval for additional funding, which has yet to be secured. As a result, although defense manufacturers have begun factory expansions, expanded production has not fully commenced.

Republican lawmakers, including Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, chair of a key Pentagon funding subcommittee, have long advocated increased spending on munitions production. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has prioritized boosting domestic capacity during his tenure.

Meanwhile, the military continues to draw down existing stockpiles at a steep rate to meet immediate operational demands in the Iran war, a situation defense experts warn could have significant implications for U.S. military posture around the globe.