U.S. forces repelled a surprise ballistic missile barrage launched by Iran's Revolutionary Guard late Tuesday, intercepting every projectile, though the engagement underscores growing concerns over rapidly depleting stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors.
The attack, one of more than 30 drone and missile strikes on U.S. and Saudi assets in the past 72 hours, follows President Donald Trump's July 24 pause on U.S. airstrikes against Iran to allow diplomacy a chance. On the same day, Iran submitted a proposal through Oman to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Global Patriot missile reserves are now estimated below 1,000 units.
U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran's strike capabilities rely on Chinese and Russian technological support, including satellite imagery from commercial firm MizarVision and the BeiDou navigation system. The strain has been building since three U.S. soldiers were killed on July 17 when Iranian missiles breached THAAD defenses at a base in Jordan.