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Iran adapted how it attacked American military bases in the Middle East, which forced the U.S. to use its already scarce supply of Patriot interceptors, The New York Times reported on August 11.
During five days in June, Iran launched waves of drones and missiles at U.S. forces on three bases in Jordan, aiming to overwhelm American air defenses, according to the report, which noted that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used missiles that could suddenly change course, forcing the U.S. to use scarce interceptor missiles.
On July 17, an Iranian strike in Jordan destroyed a housing unit on an air base hosting U.S. forces, killing three American soldiers.
A statement released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) the next day said “two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as CENTCOM and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing in action.”
Responding to the fatal attack, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the NYT, “We shot down almost all the missiles; one leaked through.”
As the war has progressed, Iran has become more tactical and skilled with its strikes, learning how to evade U.S. air defenses as the conflict has spread across the region, the report notes.
Simultaneously, the U.S. was running through its stockpile of interceptor missiles. The NYT revealed, citing two U.S. officials, that on a single day during that deadly week last month American forces in the Middle East fired about 50 Patriot interceptors, which cost about $4 million each.
The Pentagon has used more than 1,500 Patriot interceptor missiles in the war and has fewer than 1,700 interceptors left, according to the report, which cited two people briefed on the stockpile levels. The U.S. produced about 600 interceptors in all of last year.
When asked for comment on the stockpile data, the White House issued a statement from President Donald Trump, saying the U.S. had “far more munitions than anyone in the world” and “far more than we need,” Reuters reported.
“Our defense companies are, at this moment, making more munitions than they have ever made before, in addition to expanding their plants and equipment at record levels,” Trump said.
Still, the shortage reportedly contributed to Trump’s decision to call off a massive strike against infrastructure in Iran two weeks ago.
The NYT’s report highlights how the war on Iran has directly degraded the military capabilities of the U.S. While Washington can still resume the war against the Islamic Republic, it is certainly not in a position to win the conflict. Meanwhile, Iran is clearly adapting and improving its capabilities.
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about time iran impose a blockade
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“damn shit-front analyst have been busy lately. they have uploaded like twelve different videos back to back. the kremlin must have ordered them to put out a batch of russian propaganda to deceive the dim wits on here. it’s time for the u.s. to ban .org as well: then what will you do shit-front?”💪🖕