WASHINGTON — U.S. military stockpiles have been significantly depleted due to ongoing operations against Iran, raising concerns among senior officials about readiness in other regions, according to multiple sources. The campaign against Iran, which has involved extensive use of precision-guided missiles and air-defense systems, has strained the availability of critical munitions not only in the Middle East but also across Asia and Europe.

The conflict has consumed thousands of advanced air-defense missiles, many of which incorporate complex components sourced from a global supply chain and require considerable time to replace. Officials indicate that responding to retaliatory attacks from Iran has further drained these limited air-defense reserves. This depletion has reportedly prompted the United States to delay arms deliveries to allies in Europe and Asia.

Pentagon officials have also redirected ships, aircraft, and air-defense units from their usual posts in Europe and Asia to reinforce forces operating in the Middle East. This realignment has led to maintenance challenges and has affected troop morale, contributing to a broader erosion of U.S. military capabilities in those strategically important regions.

Experts warn that these shifts could have long-term consequences, potentially emboldening other global powers such as Russia and China, who might perceive a reduced U.S. military presence and capacity as an opportunity to advance their interests. Senior U.S. and Western officials have expressed concern about the implications of diminished firepower and readiness beyond the immediate theater of the Iran conflict.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the widespread impact of the ongoing campaign in Iran on the availability of U.S. munitions, citing it as the primary factor in the reduction of stockpiles. The situation underscores the complex challenges the Pentagon faces in balancing ongoing military commitments while maintaining broader global deterrence and defense postures.