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Iran War Has Drained U.S. Supplies of Critical, Costly Weapons The Pentagon’s rush to rearm its Mideast forces makes it less ready to confront potential adversaries like Russia and China, administration and congressional officials say. Since the Iran war began in late February, the United States has burned through around 1,100 of its long-range stealth cruise missiles built for a war with China, close to the total number remaining in the U.S. stockpile. The military has fired off more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles, roughly 10 times the number it currently buys each year. The Pentagon used more than 1,200 Patriot interceptor missilesin the war, at more than $4 million a pop, and more than 1,000 Precision Strike and ATACMSground-based missiles, leaving inventories worrisomely low, according to internal Defense Department estimates and congressional officials. The Iran war has significantly drained much of the U.S. military’s global supply of munitions, and forced the Pentagon to rush bombs, missiles and other hardware to the Middle East from commands in Asia and Europe. The drawdowns have left these regional commands less ready to confront potential adversaries like Russia and China, and it has forced the United States to find ways to scale up production to address the depletions, Trump administration and congressional officials say. The conflict has also underscored the Pentagon’s overreliance on excessively expensive missiles and munitions, especially air-defense interceptors, as well as concerns about whether the defense industry can develop cheaper arms, especially attack drones, far more quickly. White House officials have refused to estimate the cost of the conflict so far, but two independent groupssay the expense is staggering: between $28 billion and $35 billion, or just under $1 billion a day. In the first two days alone, defense officials have told lawmakers, the military used $5.6 billion of munitions. To restore the U.S. global stockpile to its previous size, the United States will have to make tough choices about where to maintain its military strength in the meantime. “At current production rates, reconstituting what we have expended could take years,” Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said this week. “The United States has many munitions with adequate inventories, but some critical ground-attack and missile-defense munitions were short before the war and are even shorter now,” said Mark F. Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which recently published a studyestimating the status of key munitions. … The Pentagon, for example, has committed most of its inventory of stealthy, long-range cruise missiles to the fight against Iran. These missiles, called Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range, or JASSM-ER, are launched from fighters and bombers and have a range of more than 600 miles. They are designed to penetrate hard targets outside the range of enemy air defenses. Since the war started, the military has used about 1,100 JASSM-ER missiles, which cost roughly $1.1 million apiece, leaving roughly 1,500 in the military’s inventories, according to internal Pentagon estimates, a U.S. military official and a congressional official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential combat assessments. Tomahawks, which cost about $3.6 million each, are long-range cruise missiles that have been widely used for U.S. warfighting since the first Persian Gulf War in 1991. They remain a key munition for potential future wars, including one in Asia. “While sufficient munitions exist to wage this war, high expenditure of Tomahawks and other missiles in Operation Epic Fury creates risks for the United States in other theaters — particularly the Western Pacific,” concluded a C.S.I.S. study, which estimated the remaining Tomahawk stockpiles to be around 3,000 missiles. Patriot interceptor missiles can cost nearly $4 million each. The United States produced about 600 of them in all of 2025. More than 1,200 have been used in the war so far, according to internal Pentagon estimates and congressional officials. Overall, the cost of the war so far is between $25 billion and $35 billion, according to a study this month by the American Enterprise Institute compiled by Elaine McCusker, a senior Pentagon official during the first Trump administration. Mr. Cancian of C.S.I.S. said in an email that he and his analysts put the cost of the conflict so far at about $28 billion. The military is also incurring unexpected costs from damaged or destroyed aircraft. In the Navy SEAL Team 6 operation to rescue a downed Air Force officer in Iran, the military had to destroy two MC-130 cargo planes and at least three MH-6 helicopters inside them after the planes’ nose gear got stuck in the wet sand of a makeshift airstrip. Mr. Cancian estimated the total cost of the lost aircraft at about $275 million. Three replacement planes eventually flew the airman and the commandos to safety, but the Pentagon did not want sensitive technology from the aircraft to fall into Iranian hands. All regional military commanders are feeling the strain of shrinking munitions stocks. In Europe, the war has led to depletions in weapons systems critical for defending the eastern flank of NATO from Russian aggression, according to Pentagon information reviewed by The New York Times. A problem described as serious was the loss of surveillance and attack drones. The demands of the Iran war have also curtailed exercises and training. According to military officials, this hurts the ability to mount offensive operations in Europe, as well as deterrence of potential Russian attacks. … Before the war with Iran started, American military commanders redirected the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the Middle East. Since then, two Marine Expeditionary Units, each with about 2,200 Marines, have been sent to the Middle East from the Pacific. The Pentagon has also moved sophisticated air defenses from Asia to bolster protection against Iran’s drones and rockets. The redirected weapons include Patriot missiles and interceptors from the THAAD system in South Korea — the only Asian ally hosting the advanced missile defense system, deployed by the Pentagon to counter North Korea’s growing missile threat. Now, for the first time, the system’s interceptors are being moved away, according to American officials. U.S. readiness in the Pacific was hurt earlier by the Pentagon’s deployment of warships and aircraft to the Middle East after the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023 and after Houthi militia forces in Yemen started attacking ships in the Red Sea to support the Palestinians, the officials say. The monthlong bombing campaign against the Houthis last year — an operation the Pentagon called Rough Rider — was much larger than the Trump administration initially disclosed at the time. The Pentagon used up about $200 million of munitions in the first three weeks alone, U.S. officials said. The costs of the overall operation far exceeded $1 billion when operational and personnel expenses were taken into account, the officials added. The American ships and aircraft, as well as the service members working on them, are being pushed at what the military calls a high operating tempo. Even basic equipment maintenance becomes an issue under those grinding conditions. A spokeswoman for Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr., the head of the military’s Indo-Pacific Command, declined to comment on the arms diverted from Asia to the Middle East. Admiral Paparo largely sidestepped the issue of stockpile shortages during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, acknowledging only that “there are finite limits to the magazine.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/us/politics/iran-war-cost-military.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share Putin’s preferred candidate strikes again. America’s enemies couldn’t have asked for a better friend

I don't think he even reads what his debate opponents say. He just block quotes your response and once his hands hit the keyboard, the big feelings take over and you get another wandering diatribe that addresses nothing that you said. Tough to keep your logic consistent and your points straight when there's less than 0.1ms of considerationg between a thought/feeling entering your head and your hands typing it out on a keyboard.

Good to hear... was hoping you were 👍

First off, that was a major violation of fair use. Second, it is not an unnecessary war if the war prevented nuclear holocaust, which it did.

Yes apparently this is preferable than cutting a deal with the Americans. No worries though, as the 24th province of China, you’ll be able to afford the finest random roadkill and trash veggies, prepared in the best oil pulled from the broadest sewers in Beijing!

Right on! Then the next time someone claims their floor crossing was decided after consultation with their constituents..... they'll have to prove it. And democracy wins.

For those who have made up their minds, one study is all they need to prove them right. There are lots of studies... and the social sphere is adjusting on all sides in the worlds of polite company, youth sports, and so on and so on.... Most of us are focused on bigger things. To quote @August1991 ... "we" get along...

I post facts and figures and sources and sometimes even use your sources but the reality is the only way you could mentally cope with being wrong is to deny that. And that's pathetic

Wasn't it Mulroney who said the only complaining about floor crossings are from members of a party no one wants to cross over to? Suppose the same people will keep it up if thee are more on the way. even to making up stories they were bribed rather than facing up to their own party's failures.

And they parrot that word as if "left-wing" and "science" were the same word. lol

Never say "science" lol. Leftists have as much scientific knowledge and understanding as the average kindergartener. If I have any questions about baskets, pedophile prophets or gay sex, you're the first person I will come to.

Every province stopped reporting the unvaxxed/vaxxed hospitalization/death rates around that same time, when the numbers started going the wrong way for the narrative. Here was Manitoba's last published data. This was happening all over the world, so pretty much every country stopped publishing the data around mid-2022. Two weeks from now, expect another chorus of "But the shots prevent infection, hospitalization & death." 🤪

Gotta wonder how many in later life will condemn their parents for not taking advantage of a simple vax while they suffer their lives with a debilitating disease. What alternative is their to proven science? Hope and a prayer?

Sure, tariffs on our goods hurt exporters but tariffs on imports hurt everyone. If you're happiest when everyone is hurting it just is what it is.

I can *kind of* forgive the overreaction at the beginning (although we had some information and data that it was not nearly as lethal as the models suggested) but I cannot forgive the continued overreaction and the propaganda campaign that followed. Years of it. Mandates, restrictions, the vilification of those who didn't want to participate in the experiment, the blacklisting, smearing and cancelling of dissenting scientific voices from people previously at the top of their fields in favor of junior scientists who were more easily manipulated ($$$), the economic devastation, destroying people's careers, what was done to children.....CHILDREN, for gawd's sake.

Oh look at that Westcanman, Moon box was kind enough to show up and prove you right again And once again moon box shows up and spends almost all his time following me around for some reason Well Moony, he didn't let it just sit there, he commented on it. But couldn't actually criticize the post so he attacked the person. When YOU say something stupid i have no problem pointing out precisely what you said that was stupid and why it was stupid. Apperently he couldn't and now HE looks stupid. And you look stupid for joining him

What the hell runs through your head every day... and how do you even function when you get outside of your four walls? I have no idea what you're trying say...

Did it? This is the data for Ontario, mid-2022. When you add the Full Vaccinated and Partially Vaccinated together, it looks even worse for your claim. Ontario data has been used in quite a few studies. I don't blame you for repeating the claim, it was pumped through the media like a mantra, but the data doesn't support it.

You're welcome. I will still be disgusted by what the Libbies have done and will always oppose their traitorous crap. But if I'm to maintain my honor, I must oppose things my own side does that is also stupid and destructive. This Iran "war" is exactly that. I can go along with the Venezuelan gleep, the Greenland gleep and I actually hope they take and reform Cuba. But this I can't get behind with a clean conscience. It was stupid and from America's standpoint...unnecessary. I think when the dust finally settles, Isreal will be looked upon with disdain throughout most of the world. And the really sad part of it is... They will have deserved it.

Goes right over his head. 😆

Back to my question... are you really as stupîd as you appear to be? Having a bad morning Karen...?

No, I just find it tiring and actually quite boring to reply to every post from idi0ts like yourself.... and you're certainly near the top of the idi0t list. I'll just sit back and shake my head or laugh at your same old idi0tic posts, and wonder if you're really as stupîd as you come across... Are you?

Libs never come to these threads with anything of value to contribute. Their goal is always to turn every thread into a sandbox, in order to detract from its factual content.

I read an interesting article from the Smithsonian a few days ago. Back in the 30s, an eccentric rich guy named Charles Vance Millar pranked Canada in his will, offering roughly 500,000 dollars to the mother who “has since my death given birth to the greatest number of children.” The story of the "Stork Derby" is pretty good, but what really struck me was the mortality rate among children. One woman had 20 children, 10 survived. Another had 26, 13 still living. Etc. That's just how they talked about it. Casually. "I've had X number of children, half of them are still alive." That's simply how life was before the advents of modern medicine, vaccines foremost among them. Thanks to these vaccine FUD dipshits--who are now in charge of the government position on vaccines--cases are dramatically on the rise and children are dying. Maybe we should get rid of indoor plumbing too. Just start shitting in holes in the back yard like our forebearers.

@Down-arrow boy: You're comparing: MP's who crossed the floor over serious concerns about Liberal scandals and the government's interference in the judiciary process, with MP's who crossed the floor because "The Liberal government will lavish money in my community if I join their party" Do you understand that the government is elected to do what's best for the Canadian people, and not just for ridings that voted for them? Gladu: "After 10 years and four elections, arguably even my strong Conservative supporters are saying to me, look we like you, you’ve worked hard, but we really need that support, we have infrastructure needs.” Do you understand what is meant by that? Do you understand that what she is saying is "If I join the LPoC, then federal money will start flowing into my riding"?

That's right America turns itself into a shit show and then criticizes everybody else. You are on your own for a reason.

@BeaverFever there is already a thread on this subject about the foolishness of wasting advanced US weapons on Iran.

We have been helping Ukraine fight Russia and YOU KNOW THAT, LIAR. We have a LOT to lose if China takes Taiwan, since we cannot domestically manufacture the chips TSMC makes with US IP. So we either fight to free Taiwan, or give up a HUGE resource for AI development. Expending our advanced weapons on Iran was HUGE MISTAKE.

We must have gotten an invoice then. Why not? No one even got a receipt?

Their "informants" were section klan leaders. Only irrational people buy your bullshit

Lol... no, I know what the turtle strategy is. There may be another strategies for turtles out there I have no idea about but I'm clear on the one I know. Appreciate the help though.

Obama should be put up on voyeurism charges. Pervert

This was all over the news when Carney was appointed as Trudeau's economic advisor. Are you surprised that they want to sweep it under the rug now and pretend it never happened? 🤣 The best they got is "Well, but, well, but, well, but......Trudeau never actually took his advice!" Like how the f*ck would they know if he did or didn't? Would Carney have stayed on as economic advisor for 5 years if Trudeau was refusing to take his advice? C'mon, you donkeys.

Neither. Literally a case of Dumb and Dumber Will be sticking as Canadians

This goes have hand-in-hand with Hegseth brilliantly eliminating the mandatory flu vaccine for the military. Did you know that George Washington required mandatory vaccination for small pox? Our national relationship to science is now set back about 250 years under this clown car administration. Nothing ensures combat readiness like infections running rampant through close quarters!

Hm... Is the a name for any kind of political system that suppresses science for political purposes? Hm... Hm.... It's on the tip of my tongue.

That’s what I said, I don’t know what you think I said. . They are advising Carney. They are not sitting down with the Americans. Carney will consider their advice along with that if others and then he will give it fair consideration and then do with it as he sees fit So just to set the facts CUSMA is not going to “expire” and doesn’t need to be “renewed”. If no new CUSMA agreement is reached it will just continue as is and they will do another “review” each year. In order to pull out, US Congress and Senate would have to approve which ain’t never going to happen because even the vast majority of Republicans outside of Trump’s bubble of nutjobs don’t want that and it would be catastrophic for the US economy. Here’s another fact: After midterms this fall, Congress is most likely going to reign Trump in big time. Trump’s is the once again the most unpopular president in modern US history and his trade war is one of his most unpopular policies. And Democrats are likely to make significant gains in congress. Here’s a third: now that Carney has a majority he’s guaranteed to outlast the Trump administration (unless Trump goes full dictator and refuses to leave office or tampers with the 2028 election, which nobody can say say he won’t). But assuming USA still has some functioning vestige of democracy left , we are almost guaranteed to get a better “deal” negotiating with the next guy rather than Trump, even if the next guy is another die hard republican. Trumps tariffs might simply be repealed entirely without having to offer any concessions given how destructive they are to Americans So to summarize, there is now ZERO reason to make any concessions or negotiate any “deals” before the next session of congress begins in 2027 and a decent argument for waiting until 2029 for any comprehensive negotiations.

From the article. Blaming America worked to get Carney elected, but the issue of hard-working younger Canadians who can’t get a home, who are poorer, facing more debt and turning to credit to get groceries, is a made-in-Canada problem — and it was made by the Liberals. And everything under the sun was right as rain in the Before Times? LMAO! I've been witness to issues of sustainability and the lack thereof for well over 30 years now. That includes the mismanagement, de-industrialization and economic hollowing out that resulted in people borrowing to pay for necessities. The economic and environmental forces that caused this had, in turn, been in motion for decades. Along with no end of finger pointing in all directions. It's like this all over the world - and you haven't seen anything yet.

I can't see the links... did you forget to attach?

Still looking for those links on affordability big guy? ⏱️

AI: "Conservative Alignment: He advocates for low taxes, deregulation, school choice, energy independence, and a "law-and-order" approach. His judicial appointments are heavily supported by social conservatives." "A majority of Americans (64%) consider him conservative. However, some critics view his ideology as "Trumpism" AI: "Donald Trump identifies as a nondenominational Christian, having moved away from his upbringing in the Presbyterian church. While he has often publicly affirmed his faith and close relationship with God, observers have noted his religious views have evolved, with some supporters viewing him as a defender of faith and others questioning his personal convictions" For sure...he will be remembered as one for the worlds greatest conman in history that has conned almost all Americans...making Americans look the fools And a bully that no one will speak openly about anything to his face.

Do you even think before you post garbage like that?

Giggle... You have been owned. You cried your heart out here for terrorists and murderous illegal aliens. That makes you fckin' stupid. It also makes you a traitor to all humanity. Enjoy that.

We are dealing with a Psychopath with Dementia. There is no leverage. Never was. Never will be until he is dust. Period.

Was your stuff stolen or taken by the cops? We will never know the truth I suppose.

You're a freaking phyco who's Brain is gone Brain is gone Brain is gone Brain is gone Brain is gone Brain is gone

You truly are stunned.... What exactly is that supposed to mean? Canada's space agency and NASA have been close partner for over 50 years. Hitched ride... 😂 You still haven't answered the question I've asked you a number of times... What trade benefits has the US given our manufacturing sectors since last year, and why do you think auto, steel/aluminum and forestry sectors have been losing jobs? Any idea....? Carney is right... for decades we've been too reliant on the US as a supplier and customer. Tariffs threats and manufacturing shifts that have seen people losing jobs attest to that. Go fûck yourself clown

I live in the same country and pay the same as you idi0ts do at the pump, grocery stores, and anywhere else. I know what the cost of living is but the difference is that I don't cry and complain about it every day like you do. It is what it is... Go talk to your employer about your lack of wage increases, or find another job if you can't make ends meet. Either that, or change your ends...

Every article based on any objective measures will point to American trade policy/tariffs being the main reason for the downturn in Canada’s economy. It’s going to be painful for years to come. To claim otherwise is delusional. As if we can tweak some red tape and Canada will be back on the economic track that it had been. Pure rightwing fantasy.