{"id":7147,"date":"2026-08-06T15:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=7147"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:30:08","slug":"trump-denies-us-running-low-on-key-munitions-in-war-with-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=7147","title":{"rendered":"Trump denies US running low on key munitions in war with Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"4652d7ce-0455-49d4-a000-1ca2ef88bef7\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"people walk through a destroyed university building\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e8a352fb858e1c4d83e44ef3dd9587463036bdac\/0_0_7200_4800\/master\/7200.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">The damaged Shahid Beheshti University following a military strike carried out by the US and Israel in the Velenjak district of Tehran, Iran, in April.<\/span> Photograph: Fatemeh Bahrami\/Anadolu via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"4652d7ce-0455-49d4-a000-1ca2ef88bef7\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">The damaged Shahid Beheshti University following a military strike carried out by the US and Israel in the Velenjak district of Tehran, Iran, in April.<\/span> Photograph: Fatemeh Bahrami\/Anadolu via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">Trump denies US running low on key munitions in war with Iran<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>President\u2019s comment come after report he had demanded answers from Pete Hegseth over alleged shortages<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/aug\/06\/iran-oman-strait-of-hormuz-yemen-houthis-israel-lebanon-gaza-us-donald-trump-middle-east-crisis-live-news\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Middle East crisis live \u2013 latest updates<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Donald Trump<\/a> has lashed out at reports that the US is running short of key munitions in its war with Iran, threatening long prison sentences for officials who leak information about the military\u2019s weapons stocks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The US president claimed on Thursday that the US had \u201cmassive amounts\u201d of ammunition and said more was being manufactured and shipped to the region, as his frustration over the conflict spilled into a public attack on the media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cDefense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country\u2019s history,\u201d Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/117046698987056229\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">wrote on his Truth Social platform<\/a>, without providing evidence or details about the specific weapons in question.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">His remarks came after a report that he had demanded answers from his defense secretary, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/mar\/08\/pete-hegseth-pentagon-trump-iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Pete Hegseth<\/a>, over alleged shortages at a cabinet meeting last Friday at Camp David, the US presidential retreat in Maryland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Trump told Hegseth he felt misled because he believed the problem \u201chad been fixed\u201d, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national-security\/2026\/08\/05\/trump-hegseth-clashed-camp-david-over-iran-missile-depletion-concerns\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the Washington Post newspaper<\/a>, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the exchange. Hegseth defended himself and sought to shift blame to his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, the Post reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The president responded angrily on Thursday, accusing the media of spreading \u201ctreasonous statements\u201d and warning that those responsible would be pursued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cThe \u2018leakers\u2019 of these treasonous statements are being hunted down,\u201d he wrote. \u201cLong term jail sentences will be sought!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">CNN <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/08\/04\/politics\/us-iran-key-missile-interceptors-low\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">separately reported<\/a> that shortages of long-range guided missiles and air defence interceptors had begun to constrain Trump\u2019s strategy in the conflict. The US military had \u201cnearly exhausted 80%\u201d of its stock of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) interceptors, the network said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The Washington Post also reported that concerns over dwindling supplies had contributed to Trump calling off further strikes against Iran, despite his repeated threats to hit the Islamic Republic \u201cvery hard\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The White House and Pentagon rejected the claims. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, described the account of the Camp David exchange as \u201cFAKE NEWS!\u201d on X. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PressSec\/status\/2085181927397409131?s=20\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">She wrote<\/a>: \u201cI was at Camp David with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. This literally never happened.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Seeking to quash speculation about Hegseth\u2019s future, Leavitt insisted that \u201cthe President loves the Secretary and thinks he\u2019s doing a tremendous job\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.war.gov\/About\/Biographies\/Biography\/Article\/4263860\/sean-parnell\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Sean Parnell<\/a>, the chief Pentagon spokesman, dismissed both the reports of a confrontation between Trump and Hegseth and claims of weapons shortages as \u201cequally fictional\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Parnell added: \u201cSecretary Hegseth isn\u2019t going anywhere and he\u2019s going to continue to work side by side with Deputy Secretary Feinberg to execute President Trump\u2019s agenda, strengthen America\u2019s defense industrial base, and ensure our warfighters have every capability they need to deter and defeat any adversary.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The increasingly public dispute comes as Trump seeks to project confidence over the course of the war. On Sunday he claimed he had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/2026\/08\/02\/trump-cancels-iran-attack-citing-progress-deal-tehran-israel-alert\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">ordered and subsequently called off<\/a> \u201cthe biggest attack since World War II\u201d, in the light of fresh negotiations over the strait of Hormuz. Iran\u2019s foreign ministry denied that talks were taking place, despite Trump\u2019s claim that Tehran was eager to reach a deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The Pentagon has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/jul\/25\/pentagon-iran-war-casualties-cover-up\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">faced criticism<\/a> for manipulating US casualty figures and failing to hold regular press briefings about the war. Hegseth, a former Fox News host who styles himself as the secretary of war, last month announced a screening programme for \u201ctestosterone deficiency\u201d among US troops.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Joe Scarborough, an MS Now host and former Republican congressman, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ScarboroughNow\/status\/2085315596871188770?s=20\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">posted on X<\/a>: \u201cWhen Hegseth attacks media questions on this extreme munitions shortage as \u2018fake news\u2019, he makes this unforgivable blunder worse. Congress needs to take action. Americans need the truth. Hegseth can\u2019t give it. He needs to go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Donald Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/us-israel-war-on-iran\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US-Israel war on Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/pete-hegseth\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Pete Hegseth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-military\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US military<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-politics\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US politics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/trump-administration\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Trump administration<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Trump%20denies%20US%20running%20low%20on%20key%20munitions%20in%20war%20with%20Iran&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/06\/trump-munitions-war-iran-hegseth?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Faug%2F06%2Ftrump-munitions-war-iran-hegseth&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/aug\/06\/trump-munitions-war-iran-hegseth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1kq7f60\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The damaged Shahid Beheshti University following a military strike carried out by the US and Israel in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":7149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7147"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7150,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7147\/revisions\/7150"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}