U.S. military commanders told Vice President JD Vance that weapons stocks had been severely depleted and expressed serious concerns about the course and prospects of the war in Iran, The New York Times reported, citing more than a half-dozen current and former U.S. officials.
The conversations left Vance with serious concerns about the war’s broader strategy and prospects for success, according to the report. Commanders also warned him that Iran’s government had shown a greater willingness to absorb losses than expected, while U.S. stocks of defensive and precision weapons were being significantly depleted.
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U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaking during a launch event at the U.S. Institute of Peace on September 3 in Washington. Credit: Andrew Harnick/Getty Images via AFP
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaking during a launch event at the U.S. Institute of Peace on September 3 in Washington. Credit: Andrew Harnick/Getty Images via AFP
The commanders were particularly concerned about dwindling supplies of Patriot air-defense interceptors, which form a central part of the U.S. air-defense system.
By late spring, fewer than 100 remained in one theater, according to the Times.
The war had also exhausted that theater’s stocks of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), as well as supplies of Precision Strike Missiles intended to replace them.
Commanders told Vance that stocks of critical munitions had fallen to their lowest levels they could recall.