Pentagon report confirms ammunition shortages due to war with Iran

A report released by the Pentagon's Inspector General on September 14, 2026, has officially acknowledged significant ammunition shortages resulting from the ongoing conflict with Iran, known as 'Operation Epic Fury'. This admission directly contradicts previous public denials by the Donald Trump administration, which had maintained for months that U.S. weapon reserves remained sufficient and even 'virtually unlimited'. The audit, covering the period from February 28 to June 30, reveals that the military expended $22 billion on ammunition during that timeframe, causing severe strain on strategic stockpiles and exposing critical weaknesses in the defense industrial base.

Beyond supply chain issues, the report documents extensive material losses, including four F-15E fighter jets and 30 unmanned aerial systems, as well as damage to F-35 aircraft and aerial refueling tankers. Human casualties during this period include 11 service members killed in action, seven non-hostile fatalities, and 417 injuries. Separate data from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the total war cost at $38 billion, with monthly expenditures expected to rise by $2–3 billion. The U.S. military has begun implementing measures to accelerate production to mitigate the readiness crisis, as concerns grow over the depletion of critical missile defense systems.