U.S. Media: U.S. Military Has Consumed Nearly 80% of THAAD Interceptor Missiles

On August 4, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xiong Maoling) that, according to multiple sources cited by CNN, the U.S. military has consumed nearly 80% of its interceptors from the THAAD missile defense system.

The report stated that since the onset of the conflict with Iran, the U.S. military has used up nearly four-fifths of its THAAD missile inventory and about half of its Patriot air defense system interceptors. The Tomahawk cruise missiles used for long-range strikes have also consumed nearly half, leading to a severe shortage of missile stockpiles. A senior U.S. military commander warned that the Pentagon's ammunition reserves have "dropped to dangerously low levels."

The report mentioned that in recent weeks, senior military advisors to President Trump have expressed concerns about the decreasing quantity of critical U.S. ammunition while discussing the potential escalation of conflict with Iran. Sources indicated that recent warnings about ammunition shortages, combined with intelligence regarding the negative consequences of striking Iran's energy and other critical infrastructure, as well as Gulf nations' fears of retaliatory strikes from Iran, have led some of Trump's most hawkish advisors to believe there is reason to cancel the planned military action over the weekend.

The report cited a senior U.S. government official stating that Defense Secretary Mark Esper received the final "approval" order for action on July 31, but Trump decided to postpone the action the following day after speaking with Middle Eastern allies who were concerned about potential retaliatory attacks from Iran. He subsequently instructed Esper to temporarily halt the action but did not rule out the possibility of launching strikes in the future.

In response, Esper stated on social media on the 4th that CNN's report was "not true" and called it "shameful." He wrote, "Our disdain for these false media reports is far from enough."

Meanwhile, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told CNN that the U.S. military "has enough ammunition and reserves to meet all of President Trump's strategic objectives, and even more."