U.S. officials are reportedly growing concerned that the military's supply of missile interceptors is being consumed faster than it can be replenished as the conflict with Iran intensifies, adding a new logistical challenge while President Donald Trump weighs additional military action and diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
According to CBS News, officials familiar with the situation said the United States cannot sustain the pace at which interceptor missiles were expended during the opening phase of the war. The report added that the U.S. defense industrial base is not producing new interceptors quickly enough to replace those being used.
The reported concerns contrast with comments Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made before the latest escalation. Last month, Hegseth dismissed questions about missile inventories, saying, "we've got lots of them, we're building more than ever before."
He also said, "Our stockpiles are strong, and they will only get stronger in the future." Those remarks were made before the current round of fighting, which began nearly two weeks ago and has continued to expand.
The military developments come as the White House appears to be taking a harder line toward Tehran. The Wall Street Journal reported that senior administration officials said Trump has entered what they described as "revenge mode," believing continued military escalation is more likely than negotiations to change Iran's position. According to the report, the president became increasingly frustrated during a recent Oval Office meeting, referring to Iranian leaders as "scumbags" and "lunatics."
Diplomatic efforts have also encountered new obstacles. The New York Times reported that Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi after his visit to Washington earlier this month. According to the report, Iranian officials objected to what they viewed as a "temporary deal" that did not resolve the status of the Strait of Hormuz, an issue that has become central to the negotiations.
Trump has also publicly indicated that additional military action remains under consideration. In an interview with Axios on Thursday, the president said, "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it."
Trump also told Axios that, in his view, Iran is seeking negotiations but has not "received enough pain yet." He did not address the reports that Tehran had rejected the ceasefire proposal.
