06.08.2026 06:50
US President Donald Trump reportedly sharply questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a meeting at Camp David over declining stockpiles of long-range missiles and air defense munitions. According to reports, the ammunition shortfall contributed to the postponement of new, large-scale military operations against Iran.
According to a report by the Washington Post, citing two unnamed sources, tensions arose over ammunition stocks during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Camp David last week.
The report alleged that Trump demanded an explanation from Hegseth regarding the serious depletion of stocks of long-range guided missiles and air defense interceptor missiles.
ALLEGED TO HAVE INFLUENCED IRAN POLICY
According to the report, the reduction in the US's long-range missile and air defense ammunition played a role in the Trump administration's decision to postpone new large-scale military operations against Iran for now.
The claim stated that during this period, the administration prioritized renewed negotiations with Tehran over military options.
WHITE HOUSE AND PENTAGON DENIED THE CLAIMS
Following the claims becoming public, the White House and the Pentagon made consecutive statements.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the report was "100 percent fake" and said President Trump has "full confidence" in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell stated that the claims that Hegseth misled Trump about ammunition stocks or held his deputy responsible for the depletion were "entirely fictitious."
AMMUNITION STOCKS HAD BEEN A TOPIC OF DEBATE
The US's missile and air defense ammunition stocks had also been a topic of public debate in recent months. Particularly following operations against Iran and global military commitments, assessments were made regarding stock levels, while the Pentagon maintains that the US military preserves its operational capacity and that efforts to increase ammunition production are ongoing.