Contra
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has vehemently denied the exchange between Trump and Hegseth took place, telling The Washington Post the alleged conversation is “100% fake news” and “literally never happened,” adding “President Trump has the utmost confidence in Secretary Hegseth.” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told the paper, “Secretary Hegseth did not mislead anyone about our munitions posture, and he did not blame Deputy Secretary Feinberg. These claims about depleted stockpiles, internal disagreements, the Secretary’s position on Iran . . . are equally fictional.”
Read more Max Miller Will Pour $1 Million Into His Reelection Bid Despite Growing Calls To Drop Out
What other weapons has the U.S. used during the Iran war?
In addition to the long-range missiles, the U.S. has also used about half of its global supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles since the start of the war, according to Reuters, citing one of its unnamed sources. Between February and July, it also used about 65% of its Patriot ballistic missile interceptors and 38% of its THAAD ballistic missile interceptors, according to a July report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The Washington Post reported previously the U.S. used more than 1,300 of the Army’s tactical ballistic missiles in the initial weeks of fighting, more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in the first month and more than 1,000 Patriot and THAAD systems.
Key Background
Trump over the weekend walked back threats to launch major attacks on Iran, part of a pattern of reversals throughout the course of conflict. Trump has said repeatedly in recent weeks he was considering attacking major energy targets in retaliation for strikes on U.S. bases in the Middle East and Iran’s continued refusal to give up control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said he canceled the most recent planned strikes amid progress on a deal to end the war. The reversal came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to avoid escalating the war, multiple outlets reported. Iran said Thursday it is nearing a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported, while Trump said Wednesday an announcement on a possible agreement could happen “tomorrow or the next day,” telling reporters, “a lot of progress has been made.”
Read more Hundreds Sickened By Jalapeños Served At Chipotle And QDoba
further reading
Trump Says U.S. Will Bomb Key Infrastructure ‘Any Time’ Iran Shoots At Ships In Strait Of Hormuz (Forbes)
Trump Considering Iran Attack ‘Bigger Than Ever Before’ (Forbes)
Trump Says U.S. Will Hit Iran ‘Hard’ After Attack On Troops In Jordan (Forbes)