The United States military is facing shortages of some ammunition following its war against Iran, according to a new report from the Defence Department’s Office of Inspector General.
The report, released Monday in the first mandatory assessment of its kind to Congress, said the scale of US weapons expenditure during Operation Epic Fury had exposed weaknesses in the country’s ability to replenish critical munitions.
Between February 28 and June 30, the operation was estimated to have cost $33.4 billion, including about $22.3 billion for munitions that were used during the conflict.
“The munitions expenditure on OEF has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply,” the report said.
Operation Epic Fury is the name used by the US for its military campaign with Israel aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to project military power, according to US Central Command.
In response to the shortages and delays, the Pentagon said it was working to accelerate procurement and production timelines while building reserves of critical materials, components and selected weapons.
The inspector general, however, noted that increasing manufacturing capacity would take considerable time.
The findings could raise concerns among US partners that depend on American weapons supplies, particularly Ukraine and Taiwan.
Ukraine relies on US-made Patriot air defence systems and has been seeking additional interceptor missiles for its war with Russia. Taiwan, meanwhile, relies heavily on defence agreements with Washington as it seeks to deter China, which claims sovereignty over the self-governed island.
Trump Says US Has Extensive Weapons Stocks
The inspector general’s findings contrast with repeated assurances from President Donald Trump that American weapons supplies remain strong.
Trump has dismissed concerns over depleted stockpiles during the conflict, recently describing the United States as having “virtually unlimited” ammunition.
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On Monday, he also wrote on Truth Social that the US was producing “more exquisite and elite weapons than at any time in our history.”
Earlier reports had pointed to shortages involving long-range guided missiles and air-defence interceptors during the conflict.
CNN previously reported that the US military had nearly exhausted 80 per cent of its stock of THAAD interceptors. CENTCOM has also said American forces struck more than 1,000 targets during the first 24 hours of the war, although the scale of attacks later declined.
US Aircraft Losses and Base Damage
The inspector general’s report also detailed losses suffered by US forces during the operation.
It listed four F-15 fighter jets destroyed, one F-35 damaged, seven KC-135 tanker aircraft damaged and as many as 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed.
The report further confirmed that Iran targeted a major US military logistics hub in Bahrain with drone and ballistic missile attacks.
US military facilities across Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan also sustained damage during the conflict, with hundreds of buildings and structures reportedly damaged or destroyed.
However, those losses were not included in the report’s financial estimates because it remains uncertain whether all damaged facilities will be rebuilt or which government will ultimately cover the costs.
As of June 30, seven US service members had been killed in combat operations and another seven had died in non-hostile incidents during Operation Epic Fury.
A further 417 US personnel were wounded in action, according to the report.
The United States and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28.
The conflict has unfolded against the backdrop of longstanding Western accusations that Iran has sought to develop nuclear weapons, allegations Tehran has repeatedly rejected.