Report: US Used Over Half of Its Advanced Missile Interceptors During Iran War

by | Apr 21, 2026

Report: US Used Over Half of Its Advanced Missile Interceptors During Iran War

by | Apr 21, 2026

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A report by the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that the US depleted half of its missile interceptors. 

According to CSIS, the US military had 2,330 Patriot interceptors before the conflict, and used an estimated 1,430 missiles. A similar trend followed for THAAD, SM-3, and SM-6 interceptors. The US had 360 THAAD, 410 SM-3, and 1,160 SM-6, and used 290, 250, and 370 of the missiles, respectively. 

The US has also depleted large portions of its stockpile of offensive missiles, including Tomahawks, PrSMs, and JASSMs. CSIS estimates it will take the US years to replenish its stockpiles. 

The interceptors were fired over the first 39 days of the conflict. Two weeks ago, the US and Iran entered into a ceasefire. While the US has used over half of its advanced interceptors, the intelligence community estimates that Iran still has 70% of its pre-war stockpile of missiles. 

Iran has also damaged or destroyed about a dozen US radar systems in the Middle East. The US has been forced to move air defense systems from East Asia to replace those destroyed. 

The US and Iran are currently participating in a fragile ceasefire. The truce is being tested by fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Additionally, Tehran views the US blockade of Iranian ports as a violation of the ceasefire. 

Kyle Anzalone

Kyle Anzalone

Kyle Anzalone is news editor of the Libertarian Institute, opinion editor of Antiwar.com and co-host of Conflicts of Interest with Will Porter and Connor Freeman.

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