Experts: Conflict with Iran is depleting the U.S. and its allies' missile interception stockpiles

¬ Iranian Minister: Treat enemies like a pack of wolves; aggression is inherent to such regimes

¬ Media: Iran rules out temporary ceasefire, demands permanent end to conflict

According to The New York Times, quoting Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, due to ongoing military operations against Iran, the U.S. and its allies are rapidly depleting their missile interception arsenals, potentially weakening their allied partners.

The newspaper notes that air defense systems have become one of the critical elements in the current conflict, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones while protecting cities, military bases, and infrastructure. The paper points out that the supply chain for these interception missiles has faced challenges in recent years—first due to the Ukraine conflict, then because of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region, and now amid a 12-day sustained U.S.-Iran conflict in 2025.

Kariko said: "We were already severely short when this conflict began. The situation has worsened significantly over the past month, as we continue launching these missiles."

According to the newspaper’s reporting, the problem has been exacerbated by military doctrine typically requiring two interceptor missiles to be fired per incoming target—resulting in the depletion of anti-missile stockpiles at twice the rate of enemy weapons used. In the current conflict, the U.S. is coordinating air defense system issues with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf states, and other allies, utilizing Patriot and THAAD batteries as well as Standard missiles on naval vessels.

The newspaper notes that exact missile quantities remain undisclosed, but analysis of Persian Gulf states’ defensive capabilities indicates that Iran’s retaliatory strikes have significantly reduced their inventories. In particular, the JINSA research center concluded that the UAE and Bahrain may have consumed more than three-quarters of their Patriot PAC-3 missile stocks.

The New York Times emphasizes that even a ceasefire with Iran would not fully resolve the issue. Shortages of interception missiles have become a global challenge: besides Ukraine and Middle Eastern nations, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Western European countries also rely on stable supplies from such systems.

+

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA), Iran has delivered its response to the U.S. proposal for ending the war to Pakistan.

The report stated: "After two weeks of comprehensive high-level deliberation, Iran has submitted its response to the U.S. proposal for ending the war to Pakistan."

The news agency noted that Iran’s reply ruled out the possibility of a temporary ceasefire, insisting that the conflict must end on a permanent basis, while also demanding the lifting of sanctions.

+

Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Iran, told Sputnik News in an exclusive interview: "We treat our enemies like a pack of wolves; aggression is inherent to such regimes."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861732351881290/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author