Israel has warned the United States that it is running critically low on ballistic missile interceptors as tensions with Iran continue, according to a report by Semafor citing US officials.
The report states that Israel entered the current conflict already short of interceptors after heavy usage during last summer’s clashes with Iran. Its long-range air defense systems have since come under further strain, while CNN reported that Iran has begun adding cluster munitions to its missiles, potentially accelerating the depletion of Israeli interceptors.
A US official told Semafor that Washington has been aware of Israel’s limited capacity for months and noted that the United States itself is not facing a similar shortage. While it remains unclear whether the US will share interceptors with Israel, officials said Israel is exploring alternative defense measures, including fighter jets, alongside its Iron Dome system for shorter-range threats.
The official emphasized that the US has sufficient resources to protect its bases and personnel in the region. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US stockpiles are “more than enough” to achieve objectives in the conflict.
Analysts note that interceptors remain among Israel’s most effective defenses against long-range Iranian attacks, making the shortage a strategic concern as the conflict shows no immediate signs of ending.
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