The United States is facing growing pressure on its ammunition supplies after the heavy use of weapons during its military conflict with Iran, according to a new report from the US Department of Defense.
The report, shared with Congress on Monday, September 14, 2026, said Operation Epic Fury (OEF) cost the United States around $33.4 billion between February 28 and June 30. Of this amount, about $22.3 billion was spent on weapons and ammunition used during the conflict.
The report warned that the large amount of ammunition used during the war has created difficulties in rebuilding US military stocks. It also pointed to problems in the country’s defence production system, with delays affecting the manufacturing and replacement of some weapons.
US Military Equipment Losses
The Defense Department report also detailed losses and damage to American military equipment during the conflict.
According to the report, four F-15 fighter jets were destroyed, while one F-35 fighter jet and seven KC-135 tanker aircraft were damaged. The US military also lost as many as 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
These losses, along with the large number of missiles and other weapons fired during the conflict, have placed additional pressure on America’s ability to quickly replace military equipment and ammunition.
Concerns Over Missile Stocks
Earlier reports have raised concerns about shortages of long-range missiles and air-defence weapons. Such shortages could affect the US military’s ability to maintain its strategy against Iran if the conflict continues or intensifies.
The US has also used a large number of THAAD interceptors, which are designed to destroy incoming ballistic missiles. Reports have said that the military has used nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptor stock, raising concerns about the availability of these important defensive weapons.
Despite these concerns, President Donald Trump has rejected claims that the United States is running out of ammunition. He recently said that the country has “virtually unlimited” ammunition and again stated on Monday that the US is producing more advanced weapons than ever before.
Heavy Attacks During Early Fighting
The scale of the US military campaign was particularly large during the opening stage of the conflict. According to the US Central Command, American forces attacked more than 1,000 targets in Iran on the first day of fighting.
Large-scale attacks have become less frequent in recent weeks, but the earlier operations required the US military to use significant quantities of missiles, bombs, interceptors and other weapons.
The report also recorded damage caused by Iranian attacks on American military facilities across the region. Hundreds of buildings and other structures at US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan were reportedly damaged or destroyed.
However, the cost of repairing or rebuilding these facilities has not yet been determined. Because of this, those expenses were not included in the $33.4 billion total reported for the period.
The latest report has raised fresh questions about the financial and military costs of the conflict. It also highlights the challenge facing the United States in maintaining sufficient weapons and equipment while dealing with increased military demands.
The situation could put further pressure on the American defence industry to increase production and rebuild military stockpiles. It also shows how a prolonged conflict can quickly consume large quantities of expensive weapons and create challenges for future military operations.