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Hegseth dismisses ‘foolish’ US stockpile concerns as Iran conflict tests munitions
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed concerns about strained weapons stockpiles outright, saying recent reporting has exaggerated the issue.
«The munitions issue has been foolishly, and unhelpfully overstated,» Hegseth said during a hearing with the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense Tuesday. «We have all the munitions needed to execute what we need to execute.»
Hegseth reiterated that stance during a recent congressional hearing, pushing back directly on claims that U.S. inventories have been significantly drawn down.
«I take issue with the characterization that munitions are depleted in a public forum. That’s not true,» he told lawmakers.
«Even in the conduct of the conflict, working with the chairman and Admiral Cooper, ensuring that any munitions we’re using, we know what we’re trading off of to preserve capabilities. So we have maximum optionality across the globe,» he said, referring to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed concerns about strained weapons stockpiles outright, saying recent reporting has exaggerated the issue. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)
US DRAINS CRITICAL MISSILE STOCKPILES IN IRAN WAR AS YEARSLONG REBUILD LOOMS
The comments come as questions about U.S. weapons inventories have intensified following the Iran conflict and new analyses pointing to heavy usage of key munitions.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said after a recent classified briefing that it is «shocking how deep we have gone into these magazines,» pointing to heavy use of systems including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and Patriot air defense interceptors.
Hegseth responded by accusing Kelly of improperly discussing sensitive information, suggesting the former Navy pilot may have violated his oath.
HEGSETH SAYS PENTAGON WILL REVIEW MARK KELLY’S PUBLIC STATEMENTS ABOUT CLASSIFIED BRIEFING AMID ONGOING FEUD
«‘Captain’ Mark Kelly strikes again,» Hegseth wrote on X. «Now he’s blabbing on TV (falsely & dumbly) about a CLASSIFIED Pentagon briefing he received. Did he violate his oath… again? @DeptofWar legal counsel will review.»
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine offered a more measured assessment, telling lawmakers that U.S. forces currently have «sufficient munitions for what we’re tasked to do right now.» (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Kelly pushed back, saying the information was not classified and noting Hegseth had made similar remarks publicly in recent testimony. He added that the cost of the conflict had yet to be fully explained to the American people.
Caine offered a more measured assessment, telling lawmakers that U.S. forces currently have «sufficient munitions for what we’re tasked to do right now,» while acknowledging that commanders will «always want more.»
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But concerns about munitions stockpiles are not limited to the U.S.
Across the Middle East, U.S. partners also have relied heavily on high-end air defense systems to counter Iranian missile and drone attacks, raising similar concerns about how long those inventories can be sustained if fighting resumes.
First responders inspect a residential building hit in an earlier U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, March 27, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP Photo)
While countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia entered the conflict with deeper and more layered interceptor stockpiles, built over years of investment in missile defense systems, other Gulf allies, which operate smaller inventories and depend more heavily on U.S. resupply, could face greater pressure if the ceasefire breaks down and missile exchanges resume.
Despite the heavy usage, analysts say the U.S. retains enough munitions to sustain current operations.
A recent analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that while stockpiles have been drawn down, they remain sufficient for the ongoing conflict.
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The greater concern, the report noted, is whether the U.S. is prepared for a future conflict with a peer adversary like China, which likely would require sustained use of the same high-end missiles now being depleted, including long-range strike weapons and advanced air defense interceptors.
Rebuilding those inventories could take years. Even before recent conflicts, it typically took about two years from contract award to initial delivery for many missile systems, with full production stretching longer.
Analysts now say those timelines have extended further, with new orders potentially taking four to five years to fully deliver as demand outpaces capacity.
That lag reflects deeper constraints in the defense industrial base. Missile production depends on specialized components such as propulsion systems and guidance technology, often sourced from a limited number of suppliers, making it difficult to rapidly scale output.
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Defense contractors are moving to close that gap.
RTX has said it is increasing missile deliveries and investing billions to expand manufacturing capacity, while Lockheed Martin is working to significantly boost production of systems like the Patriot interceptor. The Pentagon is also pursuing multi-year procurement deals to give companies more predictable demand and incentivize expansion.
Even with those efforts, analysts warn the gap between battlefield use and industrial capacity cannot be closed quickly.
pete hegseth, defense, pentagon, war with iran
INTERNACIONAL
DHS puts ‘sanctuary politicians’ on notice after alleged park predator was released under Biden
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An illegal immigrant who allegedly exposed himself to one woman before trying to drag another woman into the woods at a Virginia park was arrested last year on felony drug trafficking charges but was released after sanctuary jurisdiction officials refused to cooperate with federal immigration officials, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Moises Domingo Rico Rosales, a Nicaraguan national who DHS says illegally entered the U.S. in Arizona in 2022 before being released under the Biden administration, was arrested Tuesday after Fairfax County police said he was linked to two separate incidents at Wakefield Park in Annandale, Virginia. He is now charged with abduction of a person with intent to defile and indecent exposure, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer asking Fairfax County officials not to release him, DHS said.
DHS said Rico Rosales had previously been arrested in Fairfax County in 2024 on felony drug trafficking charges, but was later released after local officials refused to honor an ICE detainer. According to local reporting, court records show the 2024 drug charges were dropped by the office of George Soros-backed Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, paving the way for his release from criminal custody.
«This criminal illegal alien exposed himself to one woman in a park and then attempted to abduct another woman the same day,» said Acting Assistant Secretary of DHS Lauren Bis. «He was previously arrested for drug trafficking in 2024, but Fairfax County sanctuary politicians refused to cooperate with ICE law enforcement and released him from jail.»
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Moises Domingo Rico Rosales, a Nicaraguan national who DHS says illegally entered the U.S. in Arizona in 2022 before being released under the Biden administration, was arrested Tuesday after Fairfax County police said he was linked to two separate incidents. (Department of Homeland Security/Getty Images)
«This predator was RELEASED by the Biden Administration into our country in 2022. DHS is calling on Governor Abigail Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal and instead turn him over to ICE custody. Open border and sanctuary policies have real consequences, and they are the creation of more innocent victims.»
The case is drawing renewed scrutiny to Northern Virginia’s fight over ICE detainers and sanctuary-style policies, coming months after Abdul Jalloh, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone with more than 30 prior arrests, was charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 41-year-old Stephanie Minter at a Virginia bus stop.
That case helped fuel a recent House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Fairfax County’s sanctuary policies, where Descano and Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid faced questions from congressional Republicans over their handling of criminal illegal immigrants and ICE detainers.
Fairfax officials have previously defended their policy by saying they do not hold inmates on ICE detainers alone without a judicial warrant. ICE detainers ask local jails to notify federal immigration authorities before an inmate’s release and hold the person briefly, so ICE can assume custody. ICE has argued that at-large arrests are more unpredictable and potentially dangerous than jail transfers.
Abdul Jalloh, 32, is accused of killing Stephanie Minter, 41, at a Virginia bus stop. (Fairfax County Police Department; provided)
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office pushed back on DHS’s characterization of the Rico Rosales case, telling Fox News Digital that he was booked into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center in 2024 and that ICE filed an «informal request,» but «failed to act upon» it after a court ordered Rico Rosales released.
JORDAN GRILLS SOROS-BACKED DA DESCANO IN HEATED SPAT OVER SOFT-ON-CRIME POLICY: ‘THIS IS ALMOST LAUGHABLE’
«There was no judicial warrant filed by ICE,» a spokesperson for Sheriff Stacey Kincaid’s office said.
The sheriff’s office also said it does not currently have an ICE detainer on file for Rico Rosales in connection with his latest charges, despite DHS saying ICE had lodged one. The office said ICE would be able to take him into custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center if federal immigration officials file a detainer and respond when he is ordered released.
«The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office does not obstruct or prevent ICE from acting on their civil detainers,» the spokesperson said.
Kincaid’s office said its policy is not to hold inmates past their release date unless ICE presents a judicial warrant or court-issued criminal detainer. A portion of the sheriff’s office standard operating procedures provided to Fox News Digital states that, «to hold a prisoner for» Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), ICE or another immigration enforcement official, «a criminal judicial order» is required.
When asked about Rico Rosales’ charges being dropped in 2024, Laura Birnbaum, chief of staff and public information officer for Descano’s office, said there are «many reasons» why the outcome of a criminal case may differ from the initial charges, including insufficient evidence, victims not wanting to continue with prosecution, key witnesses not being present in court, defendants cooperating with police or prosecutors, defendants taking behavioral steps such as restitution or treatment, coordination with other agencies or the initial charge not reflecting what actually occurred.
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«Our office will share additional specifics about cases where possible, but we cannot jeopardize ongoing prosecutions or investigations; disclose personal information about victims or witnesses; or share non-public case information,» Birnbaum told Fox News Digital.
Birnbaum also pushed back on criticism of the office, saying, «Some right-wing activists may attempt to retrofit political motives onto certain case outcomes or claim that prosecutors have the perfect ability to predict and avert future crimes.»
Governor Spanberger has moved to limit Virginia law enforcement’s role in federal civil immigration enforcement, including rescinding Youngkin-era directives, ending state-level 287(g) agreements and signing legislation that restricts state and local law-enforcement assistance in civil immigration operations absent a judicial warrant or subpoena. However, her office argues local jail custody decisions, including in Fairfax County, are made by local officials rather than the governor.
Abdul Jalloh, a 32-year-old man from Sierra Leone who DHS says entered the U.S. illegally in 2012, was arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing a 41-year-old woman in Fairfax County and has an extensive prior criminal history. (Department of Homeland Security/Getty Images)
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«Governor Spanberger strongly believes violent criminals who are in the United States illegally should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and deported. Under Governor Spanberger’s leadership, the Virginia Department of Corrections continues the long-standing practice of notifying ICE when individuals born outside of the United States are in state custody. Virginia state law enforcement agencies also continue to participate in task forces and inter-agency cooperation with federal agencies,» a statement from Spanberger’s office provided to Fox News Digital said.
«As a former federal law enforcement officer who went after child predators, Governor Spanberger will always prioritize the safety and well-being of Virginia’s families,» her office continued.
migrant crime, virginia, illegal immigrants, sanctuary cities, abigail spanberger, state and local
INTERNACIONAL
La interna republicana: crece la tensión entre Donald Trump y los legisladores de su partido
La tensión entre el presidente Donald Trump y los legisladores de su propio partido en el Congreso se agudizó este miércoles, luego de que el Senado aprobara el martes una resolución para que Estados Unidos retire las tropas de la zona del conflicto con Irán. El jefe de la Casa Blanca calificó a los republicanos que votaron esa medida como “perdedores”, canceló abruptamente la firma de una ley de viviendas y dijo que quiere que los legisladores aprueben primero un proyecto de reforma electoral que lo considera vital para la seguridad nacional.
Las rispideces de Trump y los legisladores de su partido vienen acrecentándose desde el comienzo de la guerra, que es cada vez más impopular en Estados Unidos, según las encuestas. El martes, el Senado aprobó una resolución que llama al Gobierno a retirar las tropas de la zona de conflicto en Oriente Medio, una medida que contó con el apoyo clave de cuatro legisladores republicanos.
Trump reaccionó por Truth Social y criticó la decisión del Congreso con dureza. Por primera vez en décadas, Irán “respeta a todo Estados Unidos y al presidente”, escribió Trump.
«El Senado decide tener una ley de poderes de guerra en un mal momento, diciendo al principal patrocinador del terror en el mundo que a Estados Unidos no le gusta lo que hago, y que debo parar, y al hacerlo ha proporcionado ayuda y consuelo al enemigo. Cuatro republicanos perdedores votaron con los demócratas, e Irán preguntó a mi gente: «¿qué significa?»”, dijo en referencia a las actuales negociaciones que mantienen con el régimen iraní sobre un acuerdo final. Y el presidente agregó: “Estos senadores solo me han hecho más difícil el trabajo, pero lo haré de una manera u otra».
La furia de Trump siguió el miércoles por la mañana cuando decidió cancelar la promulgación de una ley aprobada también el martes con aval de los dos partidos, que significaría mejorar el acceso a las viviendas para los estadounidenses. Dijo que antes de firmarla quiere que el Congreso apruebe primero un proyecto de ley llamado “America Save Act”, que exige reglas más estrictas para la identificación de votantes en las elecciones.
Trump considera esa ley como indispensable para la “seguridad nacional”. La iniciativa crearía nuevos requisitos estrictos para que los votantes prueben su ciudadanía y muestren una identificación en las urnas.
También exige que se agregue una prohibición de las boletas por correo al proyecto de ley, así otros temas que no relacionados con lo electoral, como disposiciones para bloquear cirugías de reasignación de sexo en algunos menores y evitar que personas nacidas como hombres jueguen en deportes femeninos.
Esas medidas son tildadas de discriminatorias por los opositores demócratas, que denuncian un intento de torpedear a su electorado en los estados bajo su control. Muchos piensan que es una maniobra de Trump para que los republicanos puedan conseguir más votos en algunos estados clave para las próximas elecciones de noviembre y que no está enfocada en lo que realmente interesa hoy a la gente. Hasta algunos legisladores oficialistas critican que el presidente esté tan empeñado en la aprobación de esa ley burocrática cuando los estadounidenses están sufriendo una crisis de inflación y de acceso a vivienda.
En medio de esa turbulencia, Trump se unió a los republicanos del Senado para almorzar en el Capitolio, su primera reunión con ellos desde que desayunaron en la Casa Blanca en noviembre. “Creo que tuvimos una gran reunión. Tenemos un partido muy unido«, dijo el presidente a los periodistas al salir del encuentro con los senadores.
Trump ha estado presionando a los senadores durante meses para que se concentren en su proyecto de ley de votación de prueba de ciudadanía, aunque no cuenta con los votos para aprobarse.
También ha contribuido a reducir su propio apoyo en el Senado después de respaldar a rivales en primarias contra dos republicanos en funciones que antes eran votos confiables para su agenda —el senador de Texas, John Cornyn, y el senador de Luisiana, Bill Cassidy. Ambos hombres perdieron sus primarias y desde entonces se han vuelto más críticos del presidente.
Aun así, los senadores dijeron antes de que Trump cancelara la firma del proyecto de vivienda que esperaban centrarse en la unidad, no en los desacuerdos.
“Si vamos a ganar las elecciones de mitad de mandato, necesitamos estar en la misma sintonía”, declaró Cornyn el martes antes de la reunión. “No estamos en la misma sintonía ahora, y eso creo que es peligroso”.
INTERNACIONAL
Shark attack survivor wakes from 10-day coma and shares first words with family at her hospital bedside
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After spending 10 days in an induced coma following a shark attack on a Sydney, Australia beach, a woman uttered her first three words this week.
Leah Stewart awoke and told her family, «I love you» on Tuesday while recuperating at a hospital, according to her brother, who wrote the update on a fundraising page.
«After a week of life-support and repeat[ed] surgeries, doctors were able to extubate Leah and reduce her level of sedation to bring her out of the induced coma for a short period of time,» Stewart said. «This allowed Leah to share her first words ‘I love you’ with her Mum and partner Fernando who have been by her side in ICU since the incident.»
He added that his sister’s «first thoughts were with her daughter August,» asking if she was OK.
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Leah Stewart was asking about her daughter after she briefly awoke from her induced coma Tuesday. (GoFundMe)
The mid-30s mother and teacher has already been through five surgeries, including having an arm amputated.
She had been airlifted to a hospital in critical condition on the morning of June 13 at Coogee Beach, a popular weekend destination, after a shark bit her legs and arms.
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Stewart told her family that she loved them. (GoFundMe)
Stewart was swimming near shore while a friend watched her daughter on the beach when the attack happened, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
«This is a lot faster than anyone expected, and for us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week,» Stewart wrote on a fundraising page.
Police and emergency personnel at the scene after a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, June 13. (Reuters/Hollie Adams)
He added, «Leah has a long road ahead and still remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah’s long-term recovery.»
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Stewart’s attack came after three men have been killed by sharks in Australia since May. A 12-year-old boy was also killed by a shark in Sydney Harbor in January.
sharks, australia, world, odd news, travel, oceans, wild nature
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