The source did not specify which types of munitions were used during the first 48 hours of the conflict. Officials have also not disclosed details about weapons expenditures in public briefings, citing security concerns.
Concerns about U.S. munitions supplies have been raised since the conflict began. However, the Trump administration has dismissed suggestions that the military is experiencing strain on its weapons stockpiles.
Military officials have avoided discussing specific inventory levels in briefings. They have said such information is considered sensitive for intelligence and security reasons.
The conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has now entered its eleventh day. It remains unclear how long the military campaign will continue.
President Donald Trump suggested Monday that the war could end soon. “We took a little excursion because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some evil.”
He also indicated the operation was intended to be brief. “And I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short-term excursion,” the president said.
Trump praised the performance of U.S. armed forces during the campaign. “How good is our military, right? Amazing. How good? Short term. Short term.”
War Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to predict how long the war would last during a Pentagon briefing Tuesday morning. He emphasized that the objectives of the operation remain under presidential authority.
“Ultimately, the president gets to determine the end state of those objectives, right?” Hegseth said during the press briefing at the Pentagon.
He also said the administration does not expect the conflict to become prolonged. “But what he’s said continually, and I want the American people to understand, is this is not endless.”
At the same time, Hegseth indicated that U.S. military operations would continue at a high intensity. “Our will is endless.”
According to defense officials, U.S. forces have struck more than 5,000 targets inside Iran since the conflict began. Officials also said American forces have sunk or damaged more than 50 Iranian vessels.
Hegseth suggested the pace of strikes could increase further. “Today will be, yet again, our most intense day of strikes.”
He added that the scale of the operation continues to grow. “The most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes.”
The war secretary said intelligence support for the campaign has improved over time. “Intelligence more refined and better than ever.”
At the same time, he noted a decline in Iranian missile launches in recent days. “On the other hand, the last 24 hours have seen Iran fire the lowest number of missiles they’ve been capable of firing yet.”
Source: The Hill.
