US Military Faced Munitions Challenges Before Pausing Iran Strikes

Bangla Press Desk:   The US paused Iran strikes on Friday, suspending nearly two weeks of continued bombardment, after top officials raised concerns over the potential depletion of munitions stockpiles, which is already low owing to deliveries to Ukraine.

CNN first reported the concerns that were raised at a high-level meeting shortly before the US military halted attacks, but could not confirm whether the concerns contributed in the official pause.

Further depletion might have succeeded in US meeting its current goals in Iran, but the goals remain unclear and the supposed “Iranian threat” could have still survived.

More worryingly, the depletion could have left the world’s most powerful country vulnerable in the event of a renewed flare-up with Tehran or a bigger adversary, potentially China or Russia.

Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine both raised concerns about escalating the war in Iran as President Donald Trump weighed the possibility during a White House meeting on Friday, a source familiar with the matter and a US official told CNN.

Caine specifically raised concerns about the US munitions stockpile and other potential negative implications, according to the sources. One of the sources said that Caine told Trump and the US military they could carry out the options available to him and be successful but then warned of the possible implications.

The stockpile concern was one of many raised to Trump during the meeting, both sources said. The potential for a largely futile escalation and massive civilian casualties inside Iran if the US resumed major combat operations was also raised, a person familiar with the matter said.

Even after Trump said he was considering a massive attack against Iran this week, he had privately directed his negotiators to “keep talking,” according to a source familiar with the matter, underscoring how the president has been grappling with the reality of limited escalatory military operations short of putting US troops on the ground.

Few within Trump’s inner circle, or inside the Pentagon, believed the president’s options for escalating would yield the results he was looking for, according to multiple sources.

Furthermore, Trump has threatened civilian infrastructure, including roads, bridges and power plants, over the past week, the targeting of which could constitute war crimes. Doing so could potentially leave scores of Iranians dead and many more to suffer without power or food, Trump was warned, according to the person. Democrats accused the Trump administration of recklessly entering the war.

“We should never have gotten into this senseless war, and we should end it now,” Senator Chris Van Hollen said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” show. 

Speaking to reporters after the Friday meeting with Cabinet members and top advisors, Trump stressed that the US officials were actively negotiating with Iran, though he also said it was possible the military could continue its bombing campaign or “make it a heavier dose.” He claimed Iran seemed to be getting “more serious” in ongoing talks.

“President Trump has always been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, but he continues to retain all options if Iran continues terrorist activities in the (Strait) of Hormuz or against allies,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

“Combined with successful sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy and 13 straight days of strikes against military targets in response to their repeated aggression, it would be wise for Iran to work towards a negotiated deal. Otherwise, they know what will happen.”

This comes as key US weapons stockpiles remain significantly depleted and could come under more pressure if strikes on Iran continue, as CNN has previously reported.

On Sunday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the aid the US has provided to Ukraine in its war depleted a lot of the munitions stockpile.

“We inherited a difficult situation with many of our munitions having been given over in Ukraine,” Waltz said during an appearance on Fox News. “A lot of them expended in the Houthis, but we are rebuilding with cheaper, faster, more technologically capable as we are conducting this campaign.”