US drained munitions stockpiles during Iran war, New York Times reports

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — The United States has diverted munitions earmarked for Asia and Europe to replenish stockpiles depleted by its war with Iran, according to US officials cited by the New York Times. The report said President Donald Trump launched the conflict expecting a swift end despite warnings from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about ammunition supplies. One US official dismissed reports of weapons shortages, saying the military had the equipment to carry out any operation, and noted that Russia and China were closely tracking US arms stockpiles. The shift of defensive assets to the Middle East has placed US forces in South Korea at greater risk, the Times reported. Intelligence and military assessments indicated that Washington had used 80 percent of certain interceptor systems and 50 percent of its long-range precision missiles in the fighting with Iran. The shortages are seen as creating quiet pressure on the US administration to accelerate a diplomatic resolution, though no further details on potential negotiations were immediately available.