Kathmandu— US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth rejected claims by CNN that the Pentagon’s missile defense stockpiles were dangerously depleted, stating emphatically in a post on X, 'That banner is NOT TRUE.' The report had cited multiple sources indicating nearly 80% of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and half of Patriot missile interceptors have been used since the conflict with Iran began.

CNN's Report Details Weapon Shortages

According to CNN, senior US military commanders warned that key air defense systems were significantly depleted during operations linked to the war with Iran. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated before the conflict that the United States possessed around 452 THAAD missiles and approximately 2,200 Patriot interceptors. Concerns over dwindling interceptor inventories led to discussions within the Trump administration about escalating military action against Iran, with Gulf allies expressing worry about their ability to defend against possible Iranian missile or drone attacks due to shortages in US air defense systems.

Pentagon and White House Rebut CNN's Claims

In response to the report, Pentagon and White House officials dismissed suggestions of insufficient military capabilities. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told CNN that the US military possesses 'everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing.' Similarly, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that the armed forces have 'more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and beyond.'

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.