US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding talks with Iran and would prefer an agreement rather than further military action, as separate reports emerged of critical shortages of US munitions used in the conflict.
Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Trump said the United States had been preparing to launch what he described as its biggest attack since World War Two before Iranian officials asked for negotiations. He said he would rather make a deal with Iran because he does not want to kill people, and repeated his commitment that Tehran will not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
The Washington Post reported that Trump confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week over a critical shortage of munitions, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, Trump demanded answers during a cabinet meeting after learning of a deficit in vital weapons, despite his understanding that the issue had been addressed. The shortfall was cited as one reason behind Trump's decision to pause large-scale strikes against Iran.
The newspaper said Hegseth defended himself and blamed Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg for the shortages and for not ensuring Trump was fully informed about the state of US stockpiles.
Separately, CNN reported Wednesday, citing several sources, that the US army has used nearly 80 percent of its interceptors for a key missile defense system. Senior military officials warned that the Pentagon's munitions stockpile is dangerously low, with air defense systems especially depleted. The US military has exhausted nearly four-fifths of its THAAD missile inventory compared with pre-war levels, and half of its Patriot interceptors have been used since the conflict began. One source said the army used virtually all of its highly accurate long-range surface-to-air weapons.
The White House denied the Washington Post report. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "100 percent fake news" and said Trump has the utmost confidence in Hegseth.
Trump also pushed back against the reports on his Truth Social platform, insisting the US has massive amounts of munitions, especially of certain types, and that large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the Middle East as needed. He said defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in the country's history.
He also threatened that "leakers" of what he called treasonous statements are being hunted down and that long-term jail sentences will be sought.