US Depletes Long-Range Missile Stockpile in Iran War

The U.S. Army has exhausted nearly all of its Army Tactical Missile Systems and Precision Strike Missiles during the Iran war, three people familiar with the data said. The extent of the drawdown has not been previously reported.

• 65% of Patriot interceptors were expended between February and July, per CSIS.
• THAAD ballistic missile interceptors are at least 38% lower than pre-war levels.
• Nearly half of global Tomahawk cruise missile supply has been used since February.
• Each ATACMS or PrSM missile costs over $1 million; production lags by years.

Why it matters: The depletion narrows U.S. strategic options in real time. Analysts say long-range precision missiles would be critical in any conflict with China, and replacing current stocks will take several years at current production rates.

• U.S. and Gulf forces have been forced to use Patriot PAC-3 missiles costing millions each to intercept Iranian drones assembled for roughly $30,000.
• Allies that built their militaries around U.S. equipment face uncertainty if American supplies run low or become unreliable, according to Phillips Payson O'Brien writing in The Atlantic.

How 19 sources split on this story

Where they split: The White House says the U.S. has more munitions than any nation and production is at record levels; anonymous officials and analysts say current output falls well short of what a prolonged war demands.

What’s next: The Army has a large PrSM order scheduled for delivery in 2027.

• Administration talks are ongoing about the pace of continued Iran strikes.
• How many ATACMS and PrSMs remain in total U.S. inventory — sources declined to give a number.
• Whether the reported decision to avoid new large-scale Iran strikes was driven by stockpile concerns or Gulf state pressure, as two accounts conflict.
• How quickly Gulf partners and European allies will seek alternative weapons suppliers as a result of the shortage.