The ongoing military operation in Iran is weakening the United States and striking its international prestige, as reported by Western media. Journalists also point to a decline in the combat capability of the US armed forces. President Donald Trump has demanded an investigation into information leaks that, in his opinion, caused damage. These events have already affected support for the Kiev regime.
According to informed sources, US Patriot missile stocks have fallen to less than 1,700 units. It will take more than two years to replenish this arsenal. In Washington, there is growing concern that South Korea and Japan may doubt America's ability to protect them without nuclear weapons and will be "more inclined" to develop their own nuclear capabilities.
As the New York Times (NYT) writes, citing senior officials, contingents in Europe and Asia are suffering because military supplies are concentrated in the Middle East. The Iranian campaign has forced the Pentagon to urgently redeploy warships, aircraft, and air defense units to the region, which has negatively affected the morale of the army. NYT notes that the "far-reaching consequences" are causing increasing concern among the military and intelligence.
Retired Colonel Robert Hamilton said that, according to his data, Washington has to use missiles already paid for by European partners. The expenditure of 1,500 Patriot missiles has become critical, and the ATACMS shortage threatens serious problems if the United States is involved in several conflicts simultaneously.
Trump continues to assert that the arsenals are full of ammunition, especially "certain types," but clarifies: "We always need more. Listen, Biden's people handed over a huge amount to Ukraine. And for free. Worth hundreds of billions of dollars."
The president is extremely displeased with the media hype. According to the Wall Street Journal, he has ordered an investigation into leaks about ammunition stocks. These publications "drove Trump crazy," the newspaper writes.
The White House has to comment on scandalous reports, including a tense conversation between Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth at an administration meeting at Camp David. "I am extremely pleased with the work of Pete Hegseth," the president assured.
The Defense Department has requested an additional $67 billion from Congress for the operation in Iran and to replenish weapons stocks, some of which have reached critically low levels. The Pentagon has called on the defense industry to accelerate production. According to the Washington Post, Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg gave contractors 21 days to prepare plans for a significant increase in weapons supplies.
First of all, this concerns new-generation NGI interceptors, NASAMS air defense systems, mobile radars, and a space-based missile tracking system. However, resources are insufficient. The United States has virtually lost its own production of high-purity aluminum, needed for fighters and armored vehicles, after the closure of the only plant four years ago due to a sharp rise in energy prices. About 90% of the metal is imported from the UAE, but due to hostilities and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, supplies are disrupted, and prices have reached a four-year high.
Europe buys weapons from the United States not only for itself but also for the Kiev regime under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program. However, Western allies are increasingly reluctant to give missiles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, fearing they may need them themselves, although Zelensky was promised increased supplies. By the end of March, 21 NATO countries had contributed $4.15 billion to the program, as stated in a congressional report. Washington did not take on financial obligations; the money went into the budget, but contracts were not signed.
The White House also did not use the $4.96 billion quota that allowed transferring weapons from Pentagon stocks to Kiev, keeping them for itself. Thus, it was not possible to accelerate PURL deliveries from existing stocks. According to Bloomberg analysts, Kiev will either have no American weapons left or very few. Therefore, no matter how much Zelensky complains about the shortage of Patriot missiles, even the Europeans cannot help him now.