Now Reading: Iran attacks expose US Patriot missile shortage, officials say
-
01
Iran attacks expose US Patriot missile shortage, officials say
On 17 July, a missile struck a US base in Jordan's Azraq, killing three soldiers and injuring over 100 others, according to Pentagon officials. The attack followed five days of Iranian drone…
The Story in Brief
On 17 July, a missile struck a US base in Jordan's Azraq, killing three soldiers and injuring over 100 others, according to Pentagon officials. The attack followed five days of Iranian drone and missile barrages aimed at three US bases. Iran's tactics, borrowing from Russian methods, used mixed waves to overwhelm air defences, officials and analysts told The New York Times.
The United States has used more than 1,500 Patriot interceptor missiles during the conflict and has fewer than 1,700 left, sources told Times Now. In response to the Jordan attack and other provocations, US Central Command said it launched a 'heavy wave' of strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran. Iranian state media reported three dead, including a child, on Qeshm island.
The Indian Opinion
Both sides have narratives to sell. The Pentagon calls Iran's missile programme 'functionally destroyed', while Tehran boasts of penetrating US defences. The truth lies somewhere in between: Iran can still strike, and adapt, but US airpower remains overwhelming. The test will be whether Washington can sustain its interceptor stockpile or is forced to escalate further. How many Patriots does the Pentagon actually have left, and at what cost can they be replaced? That number will decide the next phase.
Sources (2): timesnownews.com, thehansindia.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
