Pete Hegseth Rebukes CNN: Hegseth called a CNN on-screen banner claiming U.S. missile stockpiles were "dangerously low" "NOT TRUE" on X.
Conflicting Reports: CNN and Reuters cited sources saying large portions of THAAD, Patriot, ATACMS and PrSM inventories were used.
Official Response: The White House disputed those characterizations, saying the U.S. has ample munitions.
Pete Hegseth publicly rebuked CNN on Tuesday after the network aired and published reporting suggesting that U.S. missile stockpiles had fallen to "dangerously low" levels following strikes tied to Iran. Posting on X, Hegseth singled out an on-screen banner and wrote that the claim was false.
The CNN television chyron, shown during coverage by Kasie Hunt, read: "Sources: U.S. has used nearly 80% of key missile interceptors in Iran war, top commanders warn stockpiles 'dangerously low.'" Hegseth responded on X:
"That banner is NOT TRUE. Shame on you. We don't hate the Fake News media enough."
In its written story, CNN reporters Zachary Cohen, Jim Sciutto and Haley Britzky cited multiple sources familiar with Pentagon assessments who said the U.S. has expended large portions of its missile inventory in the Iran conflict — including nearly 80% of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and roughly half of Patriot missiles. Those sources said senior military leaders had warned the Trump administration that some stockpiles were "dangerously low." CNN declined to comment further for this story.
Separately, Reuters — citing multiple sources — reported that the U.S. has used through "virtually all" of its inventories of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). These assessments were described as coming from officials and others familiar with inventory and operational data.
The White House pushed back on the media reporting. A statement to Reuters said the U.S. maintains "far more munitions than anyone in the world" and "far more than we need." White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told CNN that the military "has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and beyond."
President Trump later said he would "hold off any attack" because "the perimeters of a deal ha[ve] been agreed to," while also asserting that "The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II."
The story highlights a dispute between media reports based on unnamed sources familiar with Pentagon assessments and official statements from the White House. Estimates about munitions and interceptor usage can shape public understanding of U.S. military readiness and influence political and diplomatic responses. As of publication, major outlets reported differing characterizations and officials offered firm denials.
Note: This article summarizes reporting from CNN and Reuters and the public response from Pete Hegseth and the White House.
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