US Defense — 2026-08-06

US Burned Through 80 Percent of THAAD Interceptors During Iran Conflict

BLUFDisclosed THAAD depletion rates constrain Washington's strike options against Iran and compress the defensive margin available to Gulf partners and Ukraine through at least mid-2029.

CNN reported, citing two sources with access to the latest Pentagon inventory report, that the US military has used nearly 80 percent of its THAAD interceptors and roughly half its Patriot interceptors since the Iran war began, a THAAD figure not previously disclosed 1. CNN also reported the US Army has fired "virtually all" of its long-range ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles during the war, and that the Pentagon is replenishing stocks at roughly 15 new Tomahawks and 20 new Patriot missiles per month 1. CSIS estimated pre-war stockpiles at roughly 2,200 modern Patriot variants and 452 THAAD missiles 2, and bne IntelliNews cited a separate CSIS estimate putting Patriot stocks at 759-827 and THAAD at 234-278 as of July 27, with full replenishment not expected before mid-2029 3. Sources told CNN the shortages factored into Trump's decision to call off planned weekend strikes on Iran 1. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly disputed the CNN figures on social media, and Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the military "has everything it needs" 3. The Times of Israel reported the White House separately attributed the strike delay to pressure from Gulf states rather than munitions levels 4.

Analysis
A single-sourced CNN disclosure, the first on THAAD depletion at this scale, puts stockpiles near 80 percent expended after five months of the Iran war, up sharply from roughly half at seven weeks; CSIS's newer estimate pushes full replenishment past mid-2029. Pentagon denials and this week's production deals suggest the administration is managing the readiness narrative rather than contesting that a shortage exists, and the figures narrow room to resume strikes on Iran without further drawing down stocks Gulf partners and Ukraine also need. The White House instead attributes the called-off weekend strikes to Gulf-state pressure rather than munitions limits.

4 sources

Nearly 80% of interceptors for a key missile defense system depleted, sources say - CNN
US has burned through 80% of THAAD interceptors, sources tell CNN - Euromaidan Press
US has burned through half Patriot, 80% of THAAD interceptors fighting Iran – CNN - bne IntelliNews
Report: US used up 80% of its THAAD missile interceptors in Iran war - The Times of Israel