Trump Rejects Claims of Ammunition Shortage, Vows Prison for Leakers

US President Donald Trump has publicly rejected claims that the United States is running low on ammunition. In social media posts on August 6, he said the US has vast stockpiles of munitions — especially in certain categories — and that large quantities are being produced. He also promised to track down and punish those responsible for leaking information.

The concerns about US military reserves have emerged as strikes against Iran enter their sixth month with no peace deal in sight. CBS News, citing two anonymous sources, reported that the US has used a large portion of its long-range missile stockpiles in the war against Iran. The Washington Post reported on the evening of August 5 that Trump confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in late July over a possible weapons shortage.

In response, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the leakers of “treasonous information” would be found and face long prison sentences. In a later post, he described the Washington Post report as false and treasonous, while saying he was very satisfied with Hegseth’s work.

Iran has seized on the reports of dwindling US stocks to tout its own capabilities. Iran’s defense minister wrote on X that the country’s locally produced weapons allow it to respond to any threat, and that its army and defense industry are self-sufficient. He added that those currently trying to buy security and military superiority with imported systems will soon realize that Iran’s own technology is superior in the region.

Exact information about US weapons stockpiles is classified. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), using public data, estimates that the US has between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles — roughly one-third of the 2,330 it had before the war. The think tank also estimates that about 60 percent of THAAD interceptors have been used.

Demand for US weapons remains high in other conflict zones. Funding, ordering, production and delivery times for many modern weapons are long, preventing quick replenishment of stocks. Still, the Trump administration insists its reserves are adequate. In July, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that the US has far more ammunition than any other country and more than it needs.