Reports Claim U.S. Missile Stockpiles Could Limit Prolonged Conflict with Iran
ISLAMABAD:Media reports have claimed that the United States may not have sufficient stocks of air defense and long-range missiles to sustain a prolonged, full-scale military conflict with Iran.
According to reports by **The Telegraph** and **The Washington Post**, President Donald Trump is considering various options to expand military operations against Iran. However, an unnamed U.S. official reportedly warned that limited missile inventories could restrict large-scale combat operations.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said the U.S. does not have enough missiles to safely maintain an extended military campaign and suggested that the White House may not fully appreciate the extent of the issue.
Meanwhile, the **U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)** said it carried out strikes in Iran for a **ninth consecutive night**, stating that the operations are aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities, particularly those that could threaten commercial shipping in the **Strait of Hormuz**.
Reports also indicated explosions in several Iranian locations, including **Tabriz, Bandar Mahshahr, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Chabahar, and Konarak**.
Iran’s **Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)** claimed it had targeted locations in **Bahrain, Jordan, and Syria**, while Bahrain said an Iranian strike had damaged its air navigation system.
Iranian President **Masoud Pezeshkian** said the country had once again entered a state of full-scale conflict with the United States and warned that Washington would have to face the consequences.
Despite the ongoing exchange of attacks, diplomatic efforts have not completely ceased. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman **Esmaeil Baghaei** said proposals from several mediating countries to revive peace negotiations are still being exchanged.
U.S. Secretary of State **Marco Rubio** also stated that Washington remains open to negotiations with Tehran.
The U.S. Department of Defense recently identified two service members killed during the conflict as **First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan** and **Private Isabella Gonzalez**. Another American soldier was reportedly killed in northern Iraq while attempting to dispose of unexploded explosive material allegedly dropped by an Iranian drone.
President Trump said the United States had delivered a **strong response** to Iran in honor of the fallen service members.
According to **The New York Times**, Washington has decided to further strengthen its military presence in the Middle East.
However, **neither the Pentagon nor the White House has officially confirmed** reports that U.S. missile stockpiles have fallen to levels that would prevent the country from sustaining a prolonged war against Iran.
