Trump denies munitions shortages, threatens jail for leakers amid Iran war
President Donald Trump on Thursday denied media reports of a dwindling U.S. munitions stockpile, asserting that the country has “massive amounts” of weapons and vowing to seek prison terms for those who leaked information to the press. The remarks came as the administration continues its military conflict with Iran.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States possesses abundant supplies of munitions, “especially of certain types,” without providing specifics. He added that “large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed” and that defence companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in the country’s history.
The statements followed a report in The Washington Post, which said Trump had confronted Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth last week about perceived failures to resolve the munitions issue. The Post, citing two unidentified sources familiar with the exchange, said the conversation took place during a cabinet meeting at Camp David on July 31. Trump reportedly told Hegseth he thought the problem had been fixed.
In his Thursday post, Trump accused those who disclosed the information to the media of committing “treasonous” acts. “The ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down,” he wrote. “Long term jail sentences will be sought!”
CNN separately reported that shortages of long-range guided missiles and air-defence interceptors had constrained Trump’s strategy in the conflict with Iran. The network said the U.S. military had “nearly exhausted 80%” of its stock of THAAD interceptors, a key component of theatre missile defence. The Washington Post also reported that the shortages led Trump to call off fresh strikes against Iran, despite having threatened to hit the Islamic republic “very hard”.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the reports as “FAKE NEWS!” In a post on X, she said, “I was at Camp David with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. This literally never happened.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell echoed the denial, calling the accounts of a clash and weapons shortages “equally fictional.”
The reports and denials come amid ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran. On the diplomatic front, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied that any negotiations are underway with Washington, even as Trump has claimed that Tehran is eager for a deal.
