US used many weapons in 38-day war with Iran
Introduction
The US military used a lot of advanced weapons in a 38-day war with Iran. The war started on February 28 and then stopped. Now, the US has fewer weapons. This could be a problem for other places, like the Indo-Pacific.
Main Body
The US used about 1,100 long-range missiles called JASSM-ER. Each missile costs about $1.1 million. Now only about 1,500 remain. They also used more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Each Tomahawk costs about $3.6 million. That is ten times more than they make in one year. The US also used over 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles. Each costs more than $4 million. They used more than 1,000 Precision Strike and ATACMS ground missiles. A study says the US now has about 3,000 Tomahawk missiles. That is not enough for a big war in the Western Pacific. The US made about 600 Patriot interceptors in 2025. But they used more than double that number. The war cost between $28 billion and $35 billion. In the first 48 hours, they spent $5.6 billion. Because the US used so many weapons, they had to move weapons and people from other places. In Europe, they lost drones. This is a problem for NATO. In Asia, they moved a carrier group and 4,400 Marines from the Pacific. They also moved interceptor missiles from South Korea. These missiles were for North Korea. Now they are in the Middle East. A US general said there are limits to the number of weapons. But he said it did not hurt the US ability to stop China. The White House press secretary said the story is false. She said the US military has enough weapons. A Pentagon spokesperson did not talk about specific needs. But analysts and some lawmakers are worried. It will take years to make new weapons. A retired Marine colonel said some weapons were short before the war and are even shorter now. A report said the US is now more vulnerable in the western Pacific. The Pentagon has not started making more weapons yet. They made agreements with companies in January to make four times more weapons. But they need money from Congress. That money is not approved yet. The war also cost extra money for destroyed aircraft: two MC-130 planes and three MH-6 helicopters, about $275 million. Also, gas prices went up because the war threatened the Strait of Hormuz. That is where 20% of the world''s oil passes every day.
Conclusion
The US war with Iran used many advanced weapons, especially long-range missiles and air-defense missiles. The White House says there are enough weapons. But analysts and internal reports say it could take years to make new weapons. This could make the US less ready for other wars, especially in the Indo-Pacific. The Pentagon is waiting for money from Congress to start making more weapons. If there is another war with Iran, it will be even harder.