US military commanders are closely monitoring the ongoing war with Iran, as American long-range precision weapons stockpiles are being significantly depleted. The repositioning of long-range missile systems from the Asia-Pacific to the Middle East could leave US forces exposed in other regions, according to US media reports citing military sources on Friday.
Latest reports suggest that an estimated 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles – originally held in reserve for potential operations against China – have been used since the Iran war began on February 28.
Internal Defence Department estimates, along with statements from congressional officials, indicate that the depleted stockpiles include more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles, Patriot interceptor missiles, precision-strike munitions, and ATACMS ground-launched missiles.
To meet the high demand, the US military has been transferring ammunition from bases in Asia and Europe. This has raised serious questions about America’s combat readiness in those vulnerable regions.
The United States’ two biggest adversaries — China and Russia — are closely watching the American deployments and force mobilisation to the Middle East. While both countries continue to back the Iranian government in the ongoing conflict, the risk of a full-scale Chinese invasion of Taiwan or further escalation in Ukraine is growing. This is because Iran has shown no sign of surrendering or negotiating from a position of weakness.
Additionally, the US Defence Department has warned that replenishing the stockpiles exhausted during the war could take several years.
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