WASHINGTON, July 31 — Tehran’s forces have carried out frequent missile and drone attacks in the Middle East since the breakdown of the US-Iran ceasefire, raising renewed concerns about Washington’s supply of weapons needed to intercept them.

Highlighting the issue, the US military said it shot down multiple ballistic missiles fired by Tehran in an “attempted surprise attack” this week, following a deadly Iranian strike on American troops in Jordan earlier this month.

Some lawmakers have questioned whether the United States has enough munitions after the conflict began with US-Israeli strikes in late February before fighting largely paused under an April ceasefire, only to resume in recent weeks.

“We have depleted our interceptors... which are, obviously, necessary to protect American troops,” US Senator Chris Van Hollen said Sunday on ABC’s This Week.

“We are depleting these every day, despite the fact that we could face other potential conflicts around the world,” the Democrat added.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed concerns over Washington’s weapons supplies, while the US military has not publicly disclosed how many interceptors remain.

However, US media outlets have reported that General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has raised concerns about falling interceptor supplies.

President Donald Trump said Monday that US stocks were sufficient but acknowledged he wanted more.

“We have a lot of ammunition, different types,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding: “For some of the more sophisticated stuff, we’d certainly like to have more.”

Trump also criticised former president Joe Biden, saying “so much was given to Ukraine” as the Democratic administration supported Kyiv against Russian missile and drone attacks.

‘Extensive use of interceptors’ 

The war with Iran has nonetheless reduced US weapons supplies, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The think tank said US stocks of key Patriot and THAAD air defence missiles had been significantly reduced during the conflict.

Before the war, the United States had more than 2,300 Patriot and more than 450 THAAD interceptors, but CSIS estimated the numbers have since been roughly halved or more.

“The air defense campaign has been largely successful with high – though not perfect – interception rates,” but “this has required extensive use of interceptors,” CSIS said.

The United States is pushing defence companies to increase production of weapons, including missile interceptors.

Trump said efforts were under way, saying: “Plants are being built. A lot of equipment is being built. The Patriots, in particular, are being built.”

The Defence Department this week announced a US$58.6 billion (RM239.7 billion), seven-year deal with Lockheed Martin to produce Patriot missiles, with the company saying it would deliver “critical interceptors into the hands of warfighters at unmatched speed.”

However, CSIS warned that reduced stockpiles could leave the United States facing greater risks.

“Diminished stockpiles may force the United States and its coalition partners to take more risks with interceptions,” while “expended munitions create a near- to medium-term risk for US readiness to fight a war against China in the western Pacific,” it said.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said the US military had enough weapons to carry out operations when required.

“We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the US military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests,” he said. — AFP