US President Donald Trump categorically denied reports that the country's military ammunition stocks are dwindling. In a post on his Truth Social account, he said, "The US has a very large amount of 'ammunition,' especially of certain types. Moreover, it is being produced in large quantities as needed and shipped to the US."
Noting that defense industry companies are building the highest number of factories and facilities in US history, Trump issued a stern warning to leakers: "Those who leak these treacherous statements are being hunted down. Long prison sentences will be sought."
Trump's statement followed a Washington Post report. The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, claimed that during a cabinet meeting at Camp David last week, Trump asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the ammunition situation regarding Iran. The sources alleged that Trump demanded an explanation from Hegseth, arguing that he had been 'misled about the ammunition being extremely low.'
The report further claimed that Hegseth defended himself against Trump's harsh outburst and blamed Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg for the ammunition depletion. The same sources argued that the prolonged duration and cost of US strikes on Iran had shaken Trump's confidence in Hegseth.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt categorically denied the claims in a statement to the Washington Post: "This is 100% fake news. It never happened. President Trump has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth."
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also joined the denials. Parnell said, "Secretary Hegseth did not mislead anyone about the ammunition situation and did not blame Deputy Secretary Feinberg. The claims about dwindling ammunition, internal disputes, and the Secretary's stance on Iran are equally fictitious."
On July 27, the Wall Street Journal reported that Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine had expressed concerns about potential large-scale strikes on Iran, citing 'dwindling ammunition.' Trump had denied the claims at the time as well, asserting that 'his country has more ammunition than anyone in the world.'
Sources speaking to CNN, however, claimed that US commanders had warned that the Pentagon's ammunition stockpile was 'dangerously low' and that the military had depleted nearly 80% of the interceptor missiles for a critical missile defense system.
