11.05.2026 08:43
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth strongly reacted to Democratic Senator Mark Kelly's statements that the US's ammunition stocks are depleted due to the Iran war. Kelly argued that the stock levels of Tomahawk, THAAD, and Patriot systems in Pentagon briefings are “shocking.” Hegseth, accusing Kelly of sharing classified information, said his statements were “wrong and foolish.”
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharply reacted to Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who claimed that American ammunition stocks were seriously depleted during US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Kelly, a former Navy captain, criticized President Donald Trump's decision to enter the war against Iran in an interview with CBS. Kelly argued that the operation "lacks strategic objective, plan, and timeline," stating that some critical weapons systems used in the war could only be reproduced over years.
"NUMBERS ARE SHOCKING"
Referring to briefings he received from the Pentagon, Kelly expressed that the stock levels of Tomahawk missiles, ATACMS, SM-3, THAAD, and Patriot air defense systems were "shocking."
Kelly alleged that US ammunition reserves were seriously depleted due to ongoing conflicts.
HEGSETH'S FIERY RESPONSE
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected Kelly's statements in a post on social media platform X.
Hegseth said, "Captain Mark Kelly is at it again. Now he's talking falsely and stupidly on television about the 'classified' Pentagon briefing he received." Hegseth also accused Kelly of sharing sensitive information with the public.