Conflict between of the United States of America i Iran it escalated again after new military coups and retaliatory attacks. Concerns are growing that the crisis could once again engulf the wider Middle East region. According to the BBC, Iran has carried out missile and drone attacks on targets associated with the US presence in the region, while Washington claims to continue operations against Iranian military capabilities.
US Central Command said the latest strikes were aimed at reducing Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy routes. Iran previously accused the US of attacks on its territory and announced a response.
According to Iranian officials, at least 14 people were killed in the latest US attacks, while dozens more were injured. Tehran claims that various locations in the country were hit, including areas near the Bushehr nuclear facility, while Washington did not immediately confirm all the targets of the attacks.
Iran responded by launching missiles at targets it considers linked to US forces in the region. Air raid sirens sounded in several Gulf states, including Bahrain, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.
US weapons stockpile depleted, Washington ramps up missile production
CNN has reported that the US military has used up much of its stockpile of key weapons during the war with Iran. The Pentagon therefore warns that in the event of a new major conflict, there could be problems with the availability of certain missiles and systems. US President Donald Trump therefore initiated measures to accelerate the production of the US military industry.
According to estimates by US officials and military analysts, the war has significantly reduced the stockpile of precision-guided missiles, including part of the stockpile of missiles used by Patriot air defense systems. The Pentagon is now seeking to increase production capacity to replenish stockpiles and reduce risk in the event of future crises.
Photo: AP Photo/Julia Demaree NikhinsonUS President Donald Trump ordered the military industry to speed up production
According to CNN, Trump called for the implementation of the Defense Production Act, which allows the federal government to increase production in strategic industries. The goal is for arms manufacturers to speed up the delivery of missiles and other military equipment that was used in large quantities during the conflict with Iran.
Trump: America will become the "guardian angel" of the Strait of Hormuz
Modern wars "devour" ammunition
Of particular concern is the stockpile of long-range missiles and anti-aircraft missiles. Analyzes indicate that the US has used up a significant portion of its reserves of precision weapons during the weeks-long conflict, which could limit the military's ability to simultaneously respond to multiple crisis hotspots around the world.
US military planners have been warning for years that modern wars are consuming ammunition far faster than industry can produce it. Russia's war with Ukraine showed how large stocks are crucial for long-term conflicts, and the war with Iran further increased the pressure on the American military-industrial complex.
Restocking could take months or years, depending on the type of weapons and the capacity of production lines. The Pentagon is now trying to find a balance between supporting allies, maintaining the readiness of US forces and increasing domestic production.
The reduced stockpile opens up a broader strategic question for Washington - how many simultaneous military challenges the US can handle without compromising its own combat capability. The war with Iran thus, in addition to the political and security consequences, also showed the limitations of the American weapons production system.
Source: BBC / CNN
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