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The U.S. military has drawn down almost 80% of its critical missile interceptor stockpile and about half of its Patriot missiles since the war with Iran began, CNN reported Tuesday.
Citing sources familiar with the matter and a recent inventory assessment, CNN said senior American commanders have privately described the Pentagon's overall munitions reserves as "dangerously low."
The previously unreported shortfall in Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles has added to existing concerns about Patriot supplies, the report said.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that Washington held roughly 2,200 of its most modern Patriot variants and 452 THAAD missiles before the conflict began, according to CNN.
Gulf states that depend on U.S.-supplied air defenses have warned that the shortages could weaken their ability to intercept Iranian missiles and drones, particularly if they come under retaliatory fire after any further U.S. strikes, the report said.
CNN also reported that depleted stockpiles factored into President Donald Trump's decision last weekend to call off additional strikes on Iran after Gulf allies told him they feared retaliation against their energy infrastructure.
"America's military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President's choosing," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told CNN that the United States has "more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles" to meet Trump's goals.
Army Tactical Missile System and Precision Strike Missile inventories have also been heavily drawn down, while nearly half of the U.S. Tomahawk stockpile has been expended, CNN reported.
CNN previously reported in April that Tomahawk usage was close to 30%.
Replenishment remains slow, with the Pentagon receiving about 15 new Tomahawks and 20 new Patriot missiles per month, the report said.
Analysts estimated it could take three years or more to restore THAAD stockpiles to pre-war levels.
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