U.S. depletes long-range precision missile stocks in Iran war

The United States has consumed much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month conflict with Iran, according to three people familiar with the data cited by Reuters.

The weapons in question are principally the Army's surface-to-surface systems: Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, and Precision Strike Missiles, or PrSM. According to two of the sources, the U.S. military has used "virtually all" of these weapons during the war. The extent of the depletion had not been previously reported.

One source told Reuters that the United States has also consumed slightly less than half of its total global stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles since the conflict began. These long-range munitions form an important part of the military's arsenal, enabling accurate strikes from considerable distances.

The U.S. Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, has been able to replenish stocks from other U.S. military depots worldwide during the conflict. However, sources indicated that the scope for further missile strikes against Iran is limited.

Sources expressed concern that the sharp reduction in missile supplies could constrain the U.S. ability to respond to crises elsewhere. They noted particular worry about deterring adversaries such as Russia and China, and cautioned that if another crisis were to occur, Washington's military options would become more restricted.