CNN: 12-day war consumed 25% of U.S. THAAD missile stockpile

Quoting informed sources, CNN reported that during the 12-day war with Iran in June, the United States used approximately one-quarter of its advanced THAAD interceptor missiles. In response to a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles, the U.S. military fired more than 100—possibly up to 150—of these interceptors. This figure represents a significant portion of America’s advanced missile defense inventory. The U.S. currently has seven THAAD systems, two of which were deployed in Israel during the conflict.

The report added that this high consumption of interceptors in such a short time has exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. missile defense network and depleted an extremely costly reserve—at a time when public support for defending Israel is at an all-time low in the U.S.

Former Pentagon officials and weapons experts told CNN that the rapid depletion of these stocks has raised concerns about America’s global defensive readiness and the slow pace of replenishment. Last year, the U.S. produced only 11 new THAAD missiles, and it is expected to receive only 12 more in the current fiscal year.

Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson addressed the issue by claiming, “The United States military is the most powerful in history and is fully capable of executing any mission, anytime, anywhere. If you need further proof, just look at Operation Midnight Hammer and the destruction of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.”

However, CNN noted that initial U.S. intelligence assessments indicated the airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities did not destroy core parts of the program, and only set it back by a few months. The Trump administration rejected this assessment, and the CIA later claimed it had evidence that Iran’s nuclear program had been “severely damaged.”

While the exact number of THAAD missiles used was not disclosed, The Wall Street Journal was the first outlet to report on the heavy usage.

CNN added that despite widespread use of THAAD, dozens of Iranian missiles still managed to strike Israeli territory.

The THAAD system (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is capable of intercepting short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere. Each system consists of 6 launchers, 48 interceptor missiles, and about 95 personnel. Each interceptor costs approximately $12.7 million. According to the 2026 Defense Budget, the U.S. plans to produce 37 more THAAD missiles, partly funded through Donald Trump’s new initiative, dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

However, experts have warned that production must be drastically accelerated to replenish the depleted stockpile. A former senior U.S. military official stated that around 25% of the total THAAD inventory was used in this war, and that the Pentagon is now working to increase both wartime stock levels and annual production capacity—a process he said “should have begun much earlier.”