Trump pauses Iran strikes after warnings of dwindling munitions stockpiles

Over the weekend, President Trump called a halt to US bombing of Iran. Trump’s decision came after warnings from top generals about depleting weapons stockpiles and an assessment that the bombing campaign had reached the limits of its usefulness. Pentagon sources have been leaking their concerns about dwindling munitions stockpiles ever since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last summer. In particular, missiles used in Patriot and THAAD anti-missile defense batteries are in short supply.

Missile stocks have been steadily falling due to the US supplying defensive capabilities for Ukraine in their war with Russia, which began in 2022. Starting in 2024, the US has repeatedly deployed its own assets to defend Israel in repeated bouts of fighting with Iran, as well as backfilling Israel’s supply to arm its Iron Dome defense system. These assets have been spread even thinner since the beginning of the current war in February, with the US having to defend its own military bases as well as several regional allies.

Last week, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine reportedly warned Trump that carrying out further strikes on Iran would exhaust missile stockpiles and dangerously hamper US military readiness. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Brad Cooper also advised that nothing more could be achieved militarily by continuing strikes on Iran’s military assets on the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has claimed that peace talks have resumed. Tehran has denied any direct talks are happening, but they have signaled they will halt their retaliatory strikes for as long as US strikes are paused.

Just 1 in 3 Americans supports the Iran war.

Responsible Statecraft: Trump is playing chicken with America’s oil reserves.