Trump orders leak probe, threatens jail for weapons leaks

President Donald Trump has ordered investigations into leaks about U.S. weapons stockpiles and threatened long-term jail sentences for those responsible, following reports that munitions shortages are limiting military options in the ongoing conflict with Iran. The president and his administration have forcefully denied a separate account that he confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the issue during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on August 1.

According to reports citing anonymous sources, Trump expressed frustration to Hegseth on the sidelines of the meeting, stating he had believed the munitions shortage was resolved. The reports indicated the shortages involve long-range guided missiles like the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and air-defense interceptors for Patriot and THAAD systems. One report claimed the U.S. has nearly exhausted 80 percent of its THAAD interceptor stockpile. The conflict, now in its fifth month, has reportedly consumed vast quantities of munitions, with over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and more than 1,000 air-defense interceptors used in the first month alone.

The same sources alleged that Hegseth, when confronted, defended himself and...