Agencies | Washington:
US President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed reports that the United States is facing shortages of key missile stockpiles after months of conflict with Iran, asserting that the country’s military remains well equipped despite acknowledging that supplies of certain munitions are “a little bit tighter.”
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump rejected media reports claiming the Pentagon had significantly depleted its inventory of precision long-range missiles during the five-month conflict with Iran.
“We have certain types of munitions that are very powerful, that we have an unlimited, virtually unlimited supply,” Trump said.
While downplaying concerns over overall military readiness, he acknowledged that stocks of some categories of weapons were under greater pressure than others.
“We have others where it’s a little bit tighter,” he said, while insisting that the United States remained “in very good shape.”
“We have literally massive amounts of ammunition,” the president added.
Trump also said the US defence industry was ramping up production to replenish and expand inventories, including the construction of new facilities to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
“We always want more. We have to have more,” he said.
His remarks come amid reports by several US media outlets suggesting that the Pentagon has expended a significant portion of its stockpile of precision-guided long-range missiles during military operations against Iran.
Trump Predicts Iran Conflict Will End Soon
The US president also expressed optimism that the conflict with Iran could conclude in the near future, saying diplomatic efforts were continuing alongside military operations.
“I think it’s going to end pretty soon. I don’t think they can go much longer,” Trump said.
He added that Washington remained engaged in efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran.
“We are doing fine. A deal could be soon,” he said.
Iran, however, has repeatedly denied that direct negotiations with the United States are taking place.
Trump’s remarks came a day after Iranian officials said they were in the final stages of reaching an agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically vital maritime corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil and commercial shipping passes.
