The United States has reportedly depleted much of its stockpile of long-range precision missiles following five months of conflict with Iran, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. The depleted weapons primarily include the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and the newer Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), key components of the U.S. Army’s surface-to-surface arsenal.
These missiles, valued for their accuracy and ability to strike targets from a safe distance, have played a significant role in recent conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, where ATACMS supplied by the U.S. have been used to target sites inside Russia. The PrSM, which is intended to eventually replace the shorter-range ATACMS, is a more advanced weapon system but reportedly had limited quantities available before the conflict intensified earlier this year.
Since the joint initiation of hostilities against Iran by the U.S. and Israel in February, the Pentagon has heavily relied on these long-range missiles. However, sources indicate that the U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, has nearly exhausted the land-based missile inventory it held prior to the conflict. Despite this, officials said stockpile replenishments have been made from other U.S. military reserves globally.
The apparent missile drawdown has raised concerns within the U.S. government and military circles about the potential impact on future operational readiness and deterrence capabilities, particularly in the context of possible conflicts involving Russia or China. Some analysts emphasize the strategic importance of such precision munitions in combat scenarios involving highly defended adversaries, noting that alternatives, such as piloted bombing missions, carry greater risks.
Defense industry representatives and manufacturers are reportedly producing munitions, including these missile types, at historically high rates and expanding production capacities. Nevertheless, experts caution that current manufacturing levels may still fall short of the demands posed by prolonged or escalated conflict.
In addition to ATACMS and PrSM, reports indicate significant usage of other sophisticated systems, including the Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors—critical assets in missile defense. Internal data suggest that substantial portions of these defensive stockpiles have also been reduced since the outset of hostilities. Furthermore, nearly half of the U.S. global inventory of Tomahawk cruise missiles, mainly deployed by the Navy, is said to have been expended during this period, though this figure has not been independently confirmed.
In response to inquiries, White House statements emphasized that the U.S. maintains “far more munitions than anyone in the world” and that defense manufacturers are operating at unprecedented capacity. The Pentagon reaffirmed the military’s readiness to conduct operations worldwide as directed by the president.
Recent reports have noted that President Donald Trump considered but ultimately did not authorize additional large-scale offensives against Iran. While some media accounts attributed this decision to concerns about dwindling missile reserves, a U.S. official contended that political pressure from Persian Gulf allies played a more significant role.
The conflict in the Middle East has also intensified debates over the limits of presidential war powers, as military actions have proceeded without explicit congressional authorization of hostilities.