Pentagon report admits ammunition shortages from the Iran war

A Pentagon inspector general report has found ammunition shortfalls and production bottlenecks caused by US military operations against Iran, contradicting repeated White House denials.

• The report, published Monday, found that ammunition consumed during "Operation Epic Fury" caused shortfalls in strategic stockpiles and exposed bottlenecks in industry hampering renewal of reserves.
• The report estimated the war's cost at $33.4 billion through June 30 and documented destruction of four F-15s, one F-35 damaged, and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
• Trump, whose administration denied in June that the US restricted its munitions and who in early September insisted the country holds "unlimited amounts of ammunition," had dismissed shortage reports.
• Michael Duffy, undersecretary for acquisitions, said Sept 11 the Pentagon needs $1.5 trillion in congressional funding to replenish air-defense interceptors and long-range strike weapons.
• The report, a first-of-its-kind mandatory submission to Congress, found $22.3 billion of the $33.4 billion cost was spent on expended munitions.
• It also documented seven KC-135 refuelers damaged in addition to the previously reported aircraft and drone losses.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged defense industries to boost production to replenish depleted stocks.
• The report documented at least 11 US personnel killed in action and 417 wounded in Iranian attacks from February 28 through June 30.
• It also found hundreds of buildings used by US forces were hit across bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq.