US to commit high-grade weapons stockpiles to Iran war—Report

The United States will start to move stealth cruise missiles from global stockpiles to use in Iran as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, after President Donald Trump declared Tehran’s capabilities had been “completely decimated.”

According to Bloomberg, the U.S. issued an order to pull from the Pacific stockpiles at the end of March, matching moves by the administration to move other assets previously deployed to the region, such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea.

The new report stated the decision to reallocate the missiles will leave only around 425 of the stealth JASSM-ER cruise missiles compared to a prewar inventory of 2,300 available for global use, enough for roughly 17 B-1B bombers on a single mission, according to Bloomberg.

Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon outside of normal business hours by email on Saturday for comment.

Why It Matters

On February 28, the U.S. and Israel targeted key military targets in Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other government leaders. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces.

U.S. forces have rapidly shifted weapons and defensive systems from other regions to sustain the campaign against Iran, drawing on stockpiles and assets positioned across the globe.

The buildup has extended beyond air defenses, with resources and capabilities concentrated from multiple theaters to support operations in the Middle East. Large volumes of munitions have been expended since strikes began, while allied bases and infrastructure across the Gulf have been integrated into the effort, reflecting how the war has reshaped U.S. global force posture and strained inventories meant for other potential conflicts.

What To Know

The AGM‑158B Joint Air‑to‑Surface Standoff Missile–Extended Range (JASSM‑ER) is a stealthy, air‑launched cruise missile developed for the U.S. Air Force to strike high‑value and heavily defended targets from outside the reach of advanced enemy air defenses, with a range of over 600 miles.

According to official U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense documents, the missile follows a preplanned route using a combination of GPS and inertial navigation, employs an imaging infrared seeker for terminal accuracy, and carries a 1,000‑pound penetrating warhead designed to destroy hardened targets while minimizing risk to aircrews.

The U.S. shifting these resources raises concerns about the future of conflict in the Pacific region, where the U.S. has built up considerable resources as deterrence against Chinese ambition in the region, including designs on Taiwan, although, reports recently indicated the U.S. has revised its assessment of China’s plans for Taiwan, which could play into the decision to shift these resources.

The Pentagon has also reportedly pulled interceptor missiles for the ground-based, U.S.-made Patriot air defense system from other regions, including the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. has used up vast amounts of munitions since it started striking Iran, continuing to up the ante with promises to unleash their most powerful strikes yet.

“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump said during his address to nation on Wednesday. “We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing. Regime change was not our goal.”

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social on Saturday: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

Srijan Pal Singh, former adviser to the 11th president of India, wrote on X on Saturday: “The war is turning into a battle of endurance. Reports suggest interceptor stockpiles are under pressure due to sustained missile barrages, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. At the same time, Iran’s missile capability though partially degraded remains active and resilient. This creates a dangerous equation: defense systems are expensive and limited… while offensive missiles are easier to sustain. And in a long war— the side that lasts longer… often wins.”

U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander, in a statement posted on X on Thursday: “Now in our 5th week of the campaign, it is my operational assessment that we are making undeniable progress. We don’t see their navy sailing. We don’t see their aircraft flying, and their air and missile defense systems have largely been destroyed.”