Pentagon: U.S. Weapon Reserves Depleted by Military Operations Against Iran Will Take Years to Replenish
¬ Media: U.S. Hopes Car Manufacturers Will Participate in Weapon Production
¬ Iranian Foreign Ministry: U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz Could Break Ceasefire Status
¬ U.S. Senate Rejects Resolution Banning Unapproved Strikes on Iran Without Congressional Approval
¬ Ukrainian Defense Ministry: European Countries Commit $5.6 Billion for Air Defense Systems and Drones
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General Heath Collins, Director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, stated that it will take several years for the Pentagon to replenish weapon stocks depleted during military operations against Iran.
Speaking before the House Armed Services Committee, Collins said: "Producing these munitions to replenish inventory takes time. We need to restart production lines—there are existing production lines for all these weapon types, and we are currently producing weapons daily to replenish reserves, but it will still take several years to fully restore stockpiles."
According to the Iran War Cost Tracker website, U.S. military actions against Iran have cost over $51 billion within 45 days.
Previously, The Wall Street Journal reported that losses from damaged or destroyed military equipment in U.S. Middle East operations have approached $3 billion.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration seeks to involve automobile manufacturers in the production of weapons and military equipment.
The report states: "The Trump administration wants automakers and other American manufacturers to play a more significant role in arms production—reminiscent of practices during World War II."
It is reported that Pentagon officials have already held preliminary consultations with major U.S. industrial enterprises. These include automotive manufacturers such as General Motors, Ford, and Oshkosh, as well as aerospace engine makers like General Electric Aviation.
The Wall Street Journal wrote: "As Ukraine and Iran conflicts deplete inventories, the Pentagon intends to leverage these companies’ production capacity to increase output of ammunition and other equipment."
Sources indicate these discussions began even before the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. However, the extensive consumption of U.S. resources due to hostilities with Iran further underscores the need for more partners to rapidly scale up supplies of ammunition and tactical weapons.
Additional reports suggest the Trump administration plans to raise defense spending to a record $1.5 trillion in fiscal year 2027.
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Ismail Bagae, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik News that a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could break the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.
Bagae said: "Blocking the Strait of Hormuz is an aggressive move violating international law and could lead to the collapse of the ceasefire. In such circumstances, our armed forces will take necessary measures."
The U.S. Navy began blocking all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. Approximately 20% of global oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas pass through this strait. Washington assured that vessels unrelated to Iran and not paying fees to Tehran may freely transit the strait. While the Iranian government has not officially announced tolls, it has previously mentioned such plans.
Bagae added: "We are still fulfilling our ceasefire obligations, while reserving the right to respond to any violations of the ceasefire by the U.S. or other parties."
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The U.S. Senate rejected on Wednesday a resolution banning the United States from launching further strikes on Iran without congressional approval.
Only 47 senators supported the bill, while 52 voted against it.
Votes were largely divided along party lines. Rand Paul was the only Republican senator supporting the resolution, while John Fetterman was the sole Democrat voting against it.
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Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that, following the results of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, European countries pledged $4.6 billion for air defense systems and approximately $1 billion for drones.
Russia has repeatedly stated that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine are unhelpful in negotiations and will have negative consequences.
Fedorov wrote on social media platform X: "The Ukraine Defense Contact Group achieved significant progress: Germany committed $4.6 billion for air defense and strike capabilities. Additional aid includes around $1 billion for drones from Norway and the Netherlands, and partners will provide new Patriot missiles and drones."
Source: sputniknews
Original: toutiao.com/article/1862597319734281/
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