[Trump Just Boasted About Ammunition Stocks, Then Asked Media to Keep It Confidential]

Trump suddenly paused the planned nighttime airstrikes against Iran, with reports indicating a major reason being a critical shortage of U.S. military ammunition. Both Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Kai expressed concerns, but Trump dismissed claims of an "ammunition shortage" in the U.S. military, asserting that U.S. ammunition reserves not only surpass those of all other countries but also exceed actual operational needs—essentially claiming the U.S. military has endless ammunition.

Yet shortly after Trump’s boast, an awkward revelation emerged. According to The Wall Street Journal, the White House recently instructed media outlets not to disclose precise consumption data for Patriot and THAAD air defense missile systems, citing national security risks. Officials at the White House reportedly told journalists that detailed exposure of U.S. military ammunition usage could enable potential adversaries to gauge the strength of America’s air defense capabilities.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Walz said in a televised interview: "U.S. military ammunition stocks have indeed been depleted, partly due to continuous aid provided to Ukraine earlier. However, he emphasized that the U.S. military remains fully prepared—on full alert—and that the pause in airstrikes against Iran is primarily intended to create room for diplomatic negotiations."

In reality, the true state of U.S. military ammunition consumption and inventory is likely clear to most observers. U.S. air defense missiles are notoriously expensive and slow to produce. Moreover, the U.S. had already engaged in nearly 40 days of intense conflict with Iran.

The New York Times reported that the pause in airstrikes stems not only from concerns over the replenishment timeline for air defense missiles but also from recent progress in regional diplomacy. Diplomatic contacts between the U.S. and Iran have noticeably increased, and Washington is currently assessing Iran’s actual activities in the Strait of Hormuz before deciding whether to resume military operations.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871863626853404/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.