“These types of precise munitions do not grow on trees. They take a long time to build up.
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U.S. Pauses Iran Bombing Campaign as Military Leaders Warn Trump About Dwindling Munitions Stockpiles
July 27, 2026
The United States paused its bombing campaign against Iran on the night of Friday, July 24, 2026, after nearly two weeks of consecutive nightly strikes, with operations placed "on a hold" according to a Defense Department source. On July 25 the military announced no new strikes for the first time in two weeks. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine had raised concerns in a White House meeting about the state of U.S. munitions stockpiles, telling Trump the military could execute the available options but warning of the implications. President Trump publicly dismissed the concerns, acknowledging the U.S. would like more of "the more sophisticated stuff" while insisting the military has what it needs and blaming the Biden administration for transfers to Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz conceded "a lot of stockpiles are depleted." The pause landed in the middle of a budget fight: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Caine asked senators to approve an $87.6 billion supplemental, including roughly $40 billion to expand production of solid rocket motors, precision-guided bombs, hypersonic weapons and counter-drone systems, while House Republicans advanced a separate $95 billion reconciliation framework. Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) said the services' munitions stockpiles are "under extreme strain," and Democrats including Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) argued the depletion showed the war lacked a coherent strategy.
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13 Statements
“Munitions have been depleted. The stockpiles are very low, contrary to what Donald Trump wants us to believe.
“I don't want to comment on that, but they're not going to attack.
“We have everything required to strike at the time and place of the President's choosing. Across multiple combatant commands, we have already executed successful operations while maintaining a deep, ready arsenal to defend our people and our interests.
“I do have concerns that the president said he was not aware that we had a shortage of weapons like cruise missiles and Patriots.
“When you have a shortage of Patriots, shortage of cruise missiles, and other weapons, that this has not been managed well, or in the fact that the president claims he did not know, so that — that's a concern.
“We have a lot. We have a lot of ammunition, different types. You know, Biden gave a lot to Ukraine and so we’re building that up, but we have a lot.
“This request is an urgent necessary injection of resources to address the immediate needs of our department.
“The services’ munitions stockpiles are under extreme strain.
“We have depleted our interceptors, which are the weapons we use to intercept incoming Iranian attacks, which are obviously necessary to protect American troops. And so we are depleting these every day, despite the fact that we could face other potential conflicts around the world.
“I don’t think we ought to just cut and run. If we can stand the pain of the rising cost of energy, we need to stay the course at least for a few more months. I also don’t think we need to send in troops.
“A lot of stockpiles are depleted, but the United States still has everything that it needs to continue its campaign if necessary.
“Nearly five months into a high-cost, low-return war that has failed to make America more secure, President Trump should not be asking for more money without first seeking authorization from Congress and the American people. DOD has plenty of money. It lacks the right priorities and sensible civilian leadership. Their actions are driving up prices, costing U.S. servicemember lives, and depleting important weapon stockpiles.