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Trump Denies US Weapons Shortage, Hunts Leakers

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President Donald Trump has rejected reports that the United States is facing a shortage of munitions, and said alleged information “leakers” would be pursued, after fresh questions were raised about the condition of the military’s arsenal.

Posting on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the US had “massive amounts” of munitions, particularly certain types, and that additional quantities were being manufactured and sent as required. He also vowed to seek “long term jail sentences” for people suspected of leaking information, adding that “leakers” were being “hunted down”.

The comments came as the war entered its sixth month and a peace deal remained out of reach, with the administration under pressure to reassure Americans about the resilience of its missile and ammunition stocks.

Trump Rejects Reports of Munitions Shortage

The latest concerns were sparked by reporting from US broadcasters and newspapers citing unnamed sources. CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, said the US had drawn down much of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles during the conflict, citing two sources with direct knowledge. The BBC has not independently verified the report.

Separately, The Washington Post said on Wednesday evening that Trump had confronted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last week about a possible shortfall, also citing unnamed sources. The BBC has not confirmed the claim.

Trump later responded directly to the Washington Post story in a subsequent post, saying he believed its “fake” reporting was treasonous. He also said he was “extremely happy” with Hegseth’s performance.

Iran Says It Can Respond to Any Threat

Iran responded to the reports of shrinking US supplies by saying its domestically produced weapons allow it to respond to any threat. Defence Minister Majid Ibn-e-Reza wrote on X that “each day” signs of the enemy’s reduced capabilities were becoming clearer, adding that Iran’s armed forces, backed by the country’s defence industry, were “fully equipped” to respond.

He also argued that buyers seeking security and military superiority through imported systems would find Iran’s indigenous technology superior to any regional alternative.

Missile Stockpile Questions and Ukraine Demand

Some uncertainty about US missile stocks reflects broader limits on what can be verified publicly, as detailed information remains classified and reporting from the Pentagon is tightly controlled. Since taking office as defence secretary, Hegseth has moved to restrict what journalists can obtain from the department.

Still, analysis using public data has suggested pressure on certain systems. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington think tank, estimated that by the end of July the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles left, compared with 2,330 available before the conflict began. CSIS senior adviser Mark Cancian said on Wednesday that the US had used around 60% of its terminal high altitude area defence (THAAD) missiles.

Cancian noted that demand for weapons is not limited to the conflict with Iran, with the wider requirement for support also affecting supply. The US has provided Ukraine with significant numbers of Patriot missiles since Russia’s invasion in 2022, and CSIS expects the Pentagon to retain remaining stocks as supplies tighten.

At a cabinet meeting on Friday, Trump told reporters that granting Ukraine’s request for additional Patriot missiles would be a “big step”, but he said the two countries were “still talking about” the matter.

Administration Says Production Is Under Way

Because many modern weapons rely on long funding, ordering, production and delivery timelines, replacing munitions quickly can be difficult once used. The administration has repeatedly asserted that the US has sufficient weapons in its stockpile.

Trump said to the Wall Street Journal last month that the US had “far more munitions” than any country, and “far more than we need”. Hegseth, meanwhile, described reports of shortages as a “manufactured story” in a 14 June appearance on CBS’ Face the Nation.

At the same time, the administration has indicated it is accelerating production. Hegseth asked the US Senate last month for emergency funding of $87bn to pay service members and “rapidly replenish equipment and munitions”.

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7 August 2026


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22 minutes ago, webfact said:

Posting on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the US had “massive amounts” of munitions, particularly certain types, and that additional quantities were being manufactured and sent as required.

Trump only knows what Hegseth tells him.

Off topic low value post removed @SiSePuede419 discuss the topic, rather than just posting social media links and memes.

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

Trump later responded directly to the Washington Post story in a subsequent post, saying he believed its “fake” reporting was treasonous. He also said he was “extremely happy” with Hegseth’s performance.

Per the Washington Post:

Back at Camp David, as (Hegseth) was confronted by Trump over the bare weapons stockpile, Hegseth defended himself and blamed his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, for the shortages and for not ensuring Trump was fully apprised of the issue, both people familiar said.

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