By Mohammad Molaei

The sheer scale of munitions consumed during the Third Imposed War is without modern precedent in American warfare. As reported by The New York Times, within just the first two days of the military aggression that began on February 28, an estimated $5.6 billion worth of precision-guided munitions were expended, a sum that exceeds the annual military budgets of most countries in the world.

Over the full 40-day war leading up to the fragile ceasefire in early April, US forces struck more than 13,000 targets, many of which required multiple munitions each. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the cost of the air campaign alone reached between $11.3 billion in its first six days and $16.5 billion by day twelve.

The total cost over 40 days of full-scale military aggression, followed by subsequent hostilities in the Persian Gulf region, amounts to a far greater sum. While the Pentagon has estimated the figure at around $25 billion, independent assessments place the cost closer to $100 billion.

These figures do not reflect a campaign defined by restraint or resource discipline. Rather, they reveal a military establishment that bet its most advanced precision arsenal on a war it expected to win quickly – only to find itself mired in a quagmire of its own making.

JASSM-ER: Draining the Pacific’s first line of strike

No single weapons system reveals the strategic recklessness of so-called “Operation Epic Fury” more precisely than the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range, known in Pentagon parlance as the JASSM-ER.

This is not a conventional cruise missile. It is a stealthy, air-launched precision strike weapon with a range exceeding 600 miles, purpose-built to penetrate the most sophisticated integrated air defense systems in the world.

Its operational logic is explicitly tied to high-end war scenarios – specifically, a potential confrontation with China in the Western Pacific, where the People’s Liberation Army has constructed the most elaborate anti-access/area-denial architecture in history. The JASSM-ER is the weapon Washington designed for its most serious adversary. And it is largely gone.

At the outset of the war of aggression launched on February 28, the United States held a JASSM-ER inventory of approximately 2,300 missiles. According to Bloomberg, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter, US forces consumed more than 1,000 JASSM-ERs in the first four weeks of the campaign alone.

The New York Times, drawing on Department of War sources, placed total JASSM-ER expenditure over the full campaign at approximately 1,100 missiles. An additional 47 were fired in a separate operation to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The order to drain Pacific stockpiles for the Iran campaign, stripping missiles from US facilities across the continental US and repositioning them to CENTCOM bases and RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, was issued at the end of March, according to Bloomberg.

JASSM-ER

The arithmetic is unambiguous and brutal. Of a prewar JASSM-ER inventory of 2,300, approximately 425 remain available for the rest of the world, roughly 18 percent of the prewar total. In the shorter-range baseline JASSM variant, approximately two-thirds of total stocks across both versions were committed to the Iran campaign, according to Bloomberg.

CSIS calculates that around 25 percent of the total combined JASSM inventory was expended in just 40 days of combat.

The unit cost of the JASSM-ER is $1.1 million per missile. The JASSM baseline variant costs $2.6 million per unit at current procurement figures. The roughly 1,100 JASSM-ERs fired in the recent war, therefore, represent approximately $1.2 billion in precision strike munitions, consumed in a campaign that failed to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, did not fracture its command structure, and did not alter the strategic balance in West Asia.

Replenishment will not be swift, as per experts. The US Air Force has procured JASSM variants at an average rate of nearly 500 per year over the past decade, and existing orders in the pipeline mean that JASSM inventories will recover more quickly than other systems; CSIS estimates “several months to a year” for baseline replacement.

However, this timeline assumes no new wars, no additional campaign consumption, and full US Congressional funding of the FY 2027 military procurement request, which has not yet been appropriated.

Tomahawk: A thousand missiles in the 40-day war

The BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is the oldest and most combat-proven precision strike weapon in the US Navy’s inventory, having been used in every major American military operation since Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Its versatility, fired from surface ships and submarines, capable of loitering and retargeting in flight, with a range of approximately 1,000 miles, makes it the Navy’s primary instrument of long-range power projection.

The war against Iran consumed it on a historically unprecedented scale.

Tomahawk missiles

The Washington Post reported that US naval assets fired more than 850 Tomahawks in the first month of the third imposed war. The Wall Street Journal subsequently updated that figure to more than 1,000 over the full pre-ceasefire campaign period.

CSIS’s analysis of the first six days alone identified 319 TLAMs expended, representing approximately 10 percent of the prewar inventory in less than a week.

The prewar Tomahawk inventory stood at approximately 3,200 missiles. The expenditure of over 1,000, therefore, represents roughly 31 percent of the prewar total consumed in 40 days, more than ten times the annual procurement rate.

The Pentagon ordered just 190 new Tomahawks in 2026, a figure barely more than half the number fired in the first six days of the war. The US Navy has requested 785 Tomahawks in the FY 2027 budget, a substantial increase from prior years, but CSIS projects these will not begin arriving in US inventories until March 2030, after 34 months of production lead time.

US Tomahawk inventories will not return to prewar levels until late 2030 at the earliest.

The cost consequences compound the strategic ones. Each Tomahawk Block V costs approximately $1.87 million. The 1,000-plus Tomahawks fired in the recent war, therefore, represent approximately $1.9 billion in naval strike capability, consumed against a country that, at the ceasefire, retained its ballistic missile launch capacity, its underground missile production infrastructure, and its ability to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The allied dimension of the Tomahawk shortage adds a further layer of strategic damage. Japan, which recently completed modifications on a destroyer to fire TLAMs and had purchased 400 missiles as part of its historic shift toward a more robust conventional deterrent posture against Chinese pressure, has reportedly been told that its deliveries may be delayed indefinitely because the United States must prioritize refilling its own depleted stockpiles.

Australia has also purchased more than 200 Tomahawks, and the Netherlands has purchased 175. All of these allied orders now sit in a queue behind American replenishment needs, weakening the combined deterrent posture of the US alliance network in the Western Pacific at precisely the moment that network is under the greatest pressure.

The defensive arsenal: Patriot, THAAD, and interceptor crisis

While the consumption of offensive strike missiles has drawn significant analytical attention, the depletion of America’s missile defense interceptor inventory may carry even more severe long-term strategic consequences.

These systems, including the much-hyped Patriot PAC-3 MSE, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and the Standard Missiles SM-3 and SM-6, are not interchangeable with cheaper alternatives. They are the irreplaceable components of layered missile defense architecture, designed to defeat the ballistic and cruise missile threats posed by peer and near-peer adversaries.

In the Pacific scenario, they are the systems that would need to protect US forward bases, carrier strike groups, and allied territory from Chinese ballistic missile salvos in the opening hours of any war. Instead, they are being consumed in the Persian Gulf.

The Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor, at approximately $4 million per unit, was among the most heavily used anti-missile systems in the recent war imposed on Iran.

The New York Times reported that over 1,200 Patriot interceptors were fired during the aggression. CSIS estimates that Patriot usage, combined with the ongoing supply of interceptors to Ukraine, has left prewar PAC-3 inventory at critically reduced levels.

The Army’s FY 2027 budget requests 3,203 Patriot missiles, a procurement figure that reflects the scale of the shortfall, but CSIS projects these will not begin delivery until May 2029, with full replenishment of prewar levels taking three or more years from the present.

Current Patriot production stands at approximately 650 interceptors per year, with roughly half going to allied orders. Lockheed Martin intends to surge production to 2,000 per year, but achieving this

Just kidding

‘Hezbollah congratulates the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership, and its people, on the great achievement of reaching a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States of America, which has led to a comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon.

This great achievement is the fruit of the legendary steadfastness, exceptional resilience, and immense sacrifices made by the dear Iranian people and their wise leadership, who have adhered to the national choices that preserved their dignity, sovereignty, and independence.

On this momentous occasion, Hezbollah extends its greetings and appreciation to His Eminence the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei (may God protect him), who has guided this phase with unparalleled wisdom, courage, and insight, to the President and government of Iran, and to the valiant armed forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Army, and the brotherly Iranian people.

Hezbollah expresses its profound gratitude for their unwavering support to Lebanon, its people, and its resistance, and for their insistence that Lebanon be present in any agreement leading to a cessation of hostilities and the preservation of its rights. For this, they have borne the heavy burdens of siege and aggression, thus reaffirming that the Islamic Republic is truly a strong and loyal ally and supporter.

Hezbollah also extends its greetings to all the countries that participated, contributed, assisted, and supported the efforts to remove obstacles in order to achieve this agreement. Hezbollah emphasizes that Lebanon must make the best use of this regional and international support to achieve Lebanese sovereignty and liberate its lands within the framework of national unity.

We extend our deepest respect and admiration to the honorable, dignified, and resilient people of the resistance, and to the displaced families, for their patience, endurance, and steadfastness. We salute their sacrifices and all they have offered in the face of this barbaric aggression. They have truly proven themselves to be a proud people, the most honorable of all, as described by the Master of the Martyrs of the Nation, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

We also salute the leadership of the resistance and its valiant, heroic fighters, the nation’s impregnable shield and strong bulwark, who sacrificed their pure blood and souls for the glory of their homeland and the dignity of their people. They waged heroic battles where the Israeli enemy witnessed some of their might and tasted the bitterness of defeat.

We affirm that what has been achieved is a prelude to completing the liberation of our land, the return of our prisoners to their homeland and families, the return of all residents, especially those in the frontline villages, to their homes, and the reconstruction of what the aggression has destroyed. We call upon our steadfast people to exercise patience and await instructions from the relevant authorities regarding their safe return to their villages and towns, for their own safety and to avoid any dangers that may arise from potential Israeli violations.

The Israeli enemy must understand that there will be no return to the pre-March 2ns status quo, and that the resistance, which has been and remains the vigilant guardian of the homeland and its people, will not accept any aggression that violates its sovereignty or sheds the blood of its people. The resistance will remain committed to Lebanon’s legitimate and unwavering right to defend its land, its people, and its sovereignty until a complete withdrawal is achieved and the prisoners are returned.’

‘Therefore, we emphasize that this stage requires the government and all Lebanese political forces to return to a unified national stance in order to achieve the goals upon which the Lebanese people agree, goals that embody Lebanon’s best interests and preserve its sovereignty, strength, and resilience in the face of Israeli ambitions.

It is wise to review all the calculations and paths taken by the authorities, to benefit from this experience and the experiences that preceded it in our homeland Lebanon, to move away from illusions and losing bets, and to acknowledge that a unified Lebanese position and reliance on true friends is the best way to preserve national interests.’

@Middle_East_Spectator

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has replaced professional prison inspectors with relatives of Israelis killed during the genocide in Gaza, aiming to systematically worsen the detention conditions of Palestinian prisoners. Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Wednesday that Ben-Gvir slashed the number of official inspectors to fewer than 20, bypassing ‘qualified’ personnel to install partisan monitors responsible for overseeing the treatment and living conditions of Palestinian detainees.

The highly controversial move drew sharp condemnation from within Israel’s security establishment and political circles. Former senior officials from the Israel Prison Service and domestic political sources described it as an illegal decision that will severely damage Israel’s international relations, warning that utilizing non-professional bodies driven by personal grievances could trigger intense global scrutiny and dangerously escalate tensions inside the prison system.

The policy shift coincides with the death of Palestinian prisoner Imad Sarhan on Saturday at Gilboa Prison due to severe medical neglect, raising the total number of Palestinian deaths in Israeli captivity to 104 since October 2023. Human rights organizations report that roughly 9,500 Palestinian detainees, including women and children, currently face systemic starvation, torture, and medical deprivation across the Israeli prison system.

The Israeli enemy army announced what it described as “details of the incident that resulted in the injury of five soldiers this morning.”

It stated, “At approximately 6:00 AM, an explosive-laden drone detonated near a tank belonging to the Givati ​​Brigade in the Kfar Tebnit area of ​​southern Lebanon. As a result of the explosion, four soldiers were injured by shrapnel and were evacuated in an orderly fashion to receive medical treatment at a hospital. Minutes later, another explosive-laden drone detonated near the evacuation vehicle. As a result, another Israeli soldier was injured and also evacuated.”

It added, “Israeli forces launched an artillery attack on positions in the area.”

It is worth noting that Israeli forces initiated violations of the ceasefire two days ago, repeatedly attempting to advance, launching raids, and shelling. The Resistance confronted the Israeli advance, particularly on the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit, and launched several counterattacks.

Source: Al-Manar English Website

Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has praised Iran for forcing Israel to halt its military aggression against Lebanon, saying the Islamic Republic has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting truth, resistance, and oppressed nations.

In a message addressed to the Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Sheikh Qassem commended Tehran for forcing the Israeli regime “to immediately and permanently halt military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.”

He said the Islamic Republic turned the sole effective glimmer of hope for ending Israeli aggression against Lebanon into a tangible reality, demonstrating to the world that Iran supports truth, the resistance, and oppressed peoples.

“Had others followed its (Iran’s) path, the US and Israel would not have tyrannized, and the Zionist occupation would not have remained entrenched on the land of Palestine and Jerusalem,” he added.

Sheikh Qassem said “words fail to express” Hezbollah’s gratitude for Tehran’s firm and supportive stance towards Lebanon, its people, and its resistance.

The Hezbollah leader reiterated that Iran had consistently backed Hezbollah and Lebanon without seeking anything in return.

He hailed the Islamic Republic for directly confronting Israel following attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs, saying, “Iran is the icon of pride and honor.”

The Hezbollah chief also thanked Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, other officials engaged in negotiations and regional diplomacy, and members of Iran’s armed forces and the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) for their role in confronting the aggression.

The Israeli regime escalated its deadly attacks on Lebanon in March, violating an existing ceasefire with Beirut and a subsequent Pakistan-mediated ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington that also encompassed Lebanon.

Iran has maintained that a ceasefire in Lebanon is inseparable from any final agreement with the United States.

On Sunday, Tehran and Washington finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that, among other provisions, requires an immediate and permanent end to the war across all fronts, including Lebanon.

FM Araghchi said on Tuesday that any future Israeli attacks on Lebanon or continued occupation of recently seized territories in the country would constitute a violation of the MoU.

Source: Press TV