US Faces Weapons Shortage as Iran War Rages

The United States has reported a significant weapons shortage after dozens of aircraft were destroyed in its conflict with Iran, according to the Pentagon’s Inspector General. The war has cost $33.4 billion ($24.8 bn), with $22.3 bn attributable to expended munitions. Between 28 February and 30 June, Operation Epic Fury has exposed strategic inventory shortfalls and highlighted bottlenecks in the industrial base for munitions resupply.

The report lists the loss of four F‑15 fighter jets and up to 30 MQ‑9 Reaper drones, along with damage to one F‑35 jet and seven KC‑135 tanker aircraft. Iranian attacks have also damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan.

President Donald Trump has said he is open to negotiating a deal with Iran, but stressed that the final decision rests with him. The Pentagon’s findings come amid reports that the U.S. is reconsidering the strategic balance of its forces in the region.

Other developments include British detainee advocate Nazanin Zaghari‑Ratcliffe urging that the new envoy for detained Britons not be an excuse for government inaction. Meanwhile, Iran‑aligned Houthi fighters launched a new wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia, prompting the Saudi‑led coalition to report civilian injuries and damage to houses and vehicles. Oil markets responded to fears of supply disruptions, with U.S. crude rising to $103.24 a barrel and Brent to $107.37. The International Energy Agency has cut its 2026 global oil demand forecast by 2.5 million barrels a day, citing the conflict’s impact on supply. A vessel struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz was reported by UKMTO, and the UN Security Council is set to meet on the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait to discuss the situation.

The UN meeting, called by France, will take place Tuesday afternoon New York time, while the U.S. government continues to assess the war’s physical and financial toll on military assets and diplomatic outposts.