Pentagon report confirms Iran war caused munitions shortfalls

A Pentagon Inspector General report has confirmed that the U.S. war on Iran has caused strategic munitions shortfalls and exposed industrial bottlenecks, costing an estimated $33.4 billion through June 30. The report, released Monday, provides the first official accounting of the conflict's toll on American military assets and regional bases. The assessment covers the period from the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28 through June 30. It states that the campaign resulted in "strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply." Pentagon acquisition officials told the watchdog that the defense industrial base requires significant lead time to boost production capacity, with persistent bottlenecks in solid rocket motors, high-grade explosives, and skilled manufacturing labor. The report estimates the war's direct cost at $33.4 billion. This includes $22.3 billion for expended munitions, $3.7 billion for equipment losses, and $7.4 billion for other expenditures.