NYT: USA Fears Russia and China Could Exploit Depleted Missile Stockpiles

U.S. President Donald Trump backed away from escalating the war against Iran after advisers warned him about the risks of depleting America’s missile stockpiles.

The New York Times reported on this, citing US officials.

According to the officials, Washington believes that Russia and China are closely monitoring the pace at which U.S. military stockpiles are being depleted and could factor this into planning their own military actions.

According to the newspaper, Trump had become increasingly inclined in recent days to resume large-scale military operations against Iran.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine told the president that sustaining an intensive military campaign would require a substantial number of Patriot interceptor missiles and other air defence systems.

This could significantly deplete the stockpiles needed to protect US forces and allies in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper reported that the two-week campaign had already achieved its primary military objectives.

In his assessment, most of the planned targets had already been struck, and completing the operation would require moving into a new phase of large-scale combat operations.

In addition to the military risks, the president’s advisers emphasised the political consequences of a prolonged war.

According to the newspaper, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated that the conflict, which he had expected to end quickly, has now dragged on for several months with no clear path to resolution without significant political or military costs.

Following these consultations, the president decided to pause further strikes against Iran and give diplomacy a chance. At the same time, the White House stressed that all military options remain undecided and that the pause does not mean the United States has ruled out the use of force if negotiations fail.

Militarnyi previously reported that U.S. air defence forces in the Middle East are selectively intercepting ballistic missiles and drones in order to conserve interceptor missile stockpiles.