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US War Secretary Pete Hegseth rejects media reports claiming US missile defence stockpiles 'dangerously low'
🇴🇲 Oman /Conflict & Security

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth rejects media reports claiming US missile defence stockpiles 'dangerously low'

From Times of Oman · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth refuted a CNN report claiming dangerously low missile defense stockpiles.
  • The CNN report, citing sources, stated the U.S. had depleted nearly 80% of THAAD interceptors and half of Patriot interceptors since the conflict with Iran began.
  • Pentagon and White House officials asserted that the U.S. military has sufficient munitions and capabilities to meet strategic goals.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth forcefully rejected a CNN report alleging that the Pentagon's missile defense stockpiles have reached critically low levels. He directly addressed the claim on X, stating, "That banner is NOT TRUE, @CNN. Shame on you. We don't hate the Fake News media enough."

That banner is NOT TRUE, @CNN. Shame on you. We don't hate the Fake News media enough.

— Pete HegsethU.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth refuting a CNN report on missile defense stockpiles.

Hegseth's rebuttal came after CNN published a report, based on anonymous sources, which claimed that the U.S. military had used approximately 80% of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and about half of its Patriot missile interceptors since the conflict with Iran escalated. The report suggested that senior military commanders had warned of "dangerously low" munitions, significantly depleting key air defense systems.

We don't hate the Fake News media enough.

— Pete HegsethU.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth expressing his strong disagreement with CNN's reporting.

The CNN report further cited estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), indicating the U.S. possessed around 452 THAAD missiles and approximately 2,200 Patriot interceptors before the conflict. Concerns over these dwindling inventories were reportedly discussed within the Trump administration regarding potential escalation against Iran. Gulf allies also allegedly expressed worries about U.S. air defense shortages impacting their own security against Iranian threats.

everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President's choosing

— Sean ParnellPentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell asserting the U.S. military's readiness.

However, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell countered CNN's narrative, assuring that the U.S. military possesses "everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President's choosing." Similarly, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that the armed forces have "more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and beyond."

more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and beyond.

— Anna KellyWhite House spokesperson Anna Kelly confirming the adequacy of U.S. military supplies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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