US officials said on the 23rd the government is concerned recent escalation of
operations against Iran has led to rapid depletion of air‑defense interceptors
and precision‑guided munitions. Officials speaking anonymously said the early
phase of strikes consumed precision weapons at a pace now deemed unsustainable.
The military has shifted toward satellite‑guided JDAMs and small‑diameter bombs;
long‑range cruise missiles such as Tomahawk remain in inventory but are being
used more cautiously. Air‑defense interceptors have been heavily expended
defending US interests in the Persian Gulf amid Iranian drone and missile
strikes on bases. Regional partners, citing repeated attacks on targets in
Kuwait and Bahrain, are urging a halt to the fighting.
