With U.S.-Iran talks to end the war stalled, Vice President JD Vance has questioned whether the Pentagon is accurately reporting the state of the war and U.S. weapons stockpiles to President Donald Trump, The Atlantic reported.
Citing the magazine’s report dated April 27 (local time), Vance has raised concerns about the accuracy of war-related information coming from the Defense Department led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He has also directly brought up the availability of certain missile systems, according to the report.
The Pentagon has publicly said U.S. weapons stockpiles are sufficient and that eight weeks of fighting inflicted significant damage on Iranian forces. People close to Vance, however, have suggested those assessments may not fully reflect conditions on the ground.
Vance is said to have conveyed his concerns as personal views, seeking to limit internal friction rather than openly criticize the Pentagon. Still, some allies believe the department’s assessments have been presented too positively.
The report also said Vance delivered ammunition-related concerns directly to Trump in a meeting attended by key national security officials.
From the early stages of the war, Vance has been among the more cautious voices within the Trump administration, warning that if the conflict dragged on it could be “a disaster,” the report said.
The concerns come as analysts point to shrinking U.S. inventories. The New York Times reported on April 23 that the war has rapidly reduced U.S. stocks of missiles and other precision-guided munitions, weakening readiness in Asia and Europe for potential competitors such as China and Russia.
Citing U.S. administration and congressional officials, the Times said the U.S. military has used about 1,100 JASSM-ER long-range stealth cruise missiles since the start of Operation “Grand Fury,” leaving an estimated 1,500 remaining.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report issued March 27, citing The Washington Post, that U.S. forces have used about 850 Tomahawk missiles, with remaining stocks estimated in the low 3,000s.
Despite the large-scale missile strikes, assessments say Iran’s military threat remains. According to an internal U.S. intelligence assessment cited in the report, Iran still retains about two-thirds of its air power and key missile-launch capabilities, and has preserved much of its fleet of small fast boats that could be used to lay mines and disrupt maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz. One source said those forces remain a central threat to resuming maritime trade.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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