The U.S. Department of Defence's inspector general revealed Monday (September 14, 2026) that the United States is facing a shortfall in ammunition as a result of its costly war in Iran, contradicting President Trump's previous claims of unlimited supplies. According to the BBC, the munitions expenditure on Operation Epic Fury (OEF) has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply.
The inspector general's report, which is the first of its kind, detailed the significant financial burden of the ongoing conflict. The U.S. spent over $22 billion on munitions from February through June, and the war's total cost is estimated at $33.4 billion. The war is expected to increase inflation by 0.5% in the first three months of 2027, according to the Congressional Budget Office accounting, which totaled expenses through August 1.
President Trump has repeatedly brushed off concerns of depleted weapons supplies during the six months of war in the Middle East, saying just two weeks ago that the U.S. has "virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition." In contrast, the inspector general's report paints a starkly different picture, highlighting the dire situation of the US shortages. Over the course of the war, US forces have expended vast quantities of both long-range ground attack systems and the air and missile defences used to intercept incoming Iranian attacks.
Representative Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania stated, “Beyond that human toll, this nonpartisan CBO report makes clear that the war has also cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and counting.” The war cost is forecast to rise by $3 billion a month, according to the Daily Maverick.
The inspector general's report also revealed that the U.S. is producing munitions at levels never seen before, yet it is still struggling with industrial base bottlenecks for resupply. This highlights the unprecedented strain on the U.S. defense industry and the logistical challenges faced in sustaining the war effort.
The report's findings have significant implications for the future of the conflict, as the U.S. military may face further challenges in maintaining its current level of engagement without additional resources or a reduction in combat operations.