Pentagon Official Says the U.S. Is Not Facing a Shortage of Munitions Stockpiles

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that the American military is not experiencing a shortage of munitions, calling the claim a “manufactured story” promoted by the media.

Hegseth made the remarks just hours before the United States and Iran announced a deal to end the Middle East conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon, and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Concerns that the Middle East war might be depleting U.S. weapons stockpiles grew last month after Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao cited the conflict as a reason for pausing arms sales to Taiwan.

When asked on CBS News’ Face the Nation whether a munitions crisis existed, Hegseth replied, “That is a manufactured story that the media wants to peddle, and ultimately our stockpiles are great and they’re only getting stronger.” He added, “We’re building more than ever before. The Biden administration gave away hundreds of billions to Ukraine, and so President Trump had to refill, and he has, and we have, in real time.”

Hegseth had previously testified at an April congressional hearing that replenishing the stockpile could take “months and years,” describing the timeframe as “fast.” He noted on Sunday that some munitions may take longer to refill than others.

The Pentagon last month reported that the cost of the conflict with Iran had risen to nearly $29 billion. Critics, including Democrats, have questioned the Pentagon’s figures, arguing that the true cost—considering damage inflicted by Iran—could be much higher.

Democratic Senator Mark Kelly warned that inventories of Tomahawk missiles, Patriot interceptors and other advanced weapons had been severely depleted and could take years to replenish. Hegseth dismissed these concerns as “foolishly and unhelpfully overstated.”

AFP

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