US Secretary Pete Hegseth Denies Report on Depleted Missile Interceptors

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has denied a report claiming that the Pentagon's missile defence stockpiles have fallen to dangerously low levels.

The report, published by CNN, alleged that the US military has exhausted nearly 80 per cent of its inventory of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and around half of its Patriot missile interceptors since the conflict with Iran began.

Hegseth took to social media to reject the report, stating that it was 'NOT TRUE' and criticizing CNN for publishing it. His remarks were echoed by Pentagon and White House officials, who also denied suggestions that the US military lacked sufficient capabilities.

According to the CNN report, senior US military commanders have warned that the Pentagon's munitions stockpile is 'dangerously low', with key air defence systems significantly depleted during operations linked to the war with Iran. The report cited estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), which said the United States possessed around 452 THAAD missiles and approximately 2,200 Patriot interceptors before the conflict.

The report also stated that concerns over dwindling interceptor inventories were raised during discussions within the Trump administration over whether to escalate military action against Iran. Gulf allies also expressed concern that shortages in US air defence systems could affect their ability to defend against possible Iranian missile or drone attacks if regional hostilities intensified.

However, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told CNN that the US military possesses 'everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President's choosing', while White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the armed forces have 'more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and beyond'.

The denial of the report comes as tensions between the US and Iran remain high, with President Donald Trump warning Tehran of 'decapitation' if it continues to pursue its nuclear program. The US and Iran have been engaged in a conflict that has seen the use of various military assets, including THAAD and Patriot missile interceptors.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the US military in maintaining its stockpiles of critical munitions, particularly in the face of ongoing conflicts and tensions with countries such as Iran.

In conclusion, the denial of the report by Hegseth and other officials suggests that the US military is confident in its ability to defend against potential threats, despite concerns over the depletion of its missile interceptor stockpiles. However, the situation remains complex and sensitive, with ongoing tensions between the US and Iran likely to continue to pose challenges for the US military in the future.