Pentagon Leaks Reveal Strain on U.S. Capabilities and Push Washington Toward a Diplomatic Exit with Iran
Haaretz: U.S. Interceptor Missile Stockpiles Are Rapidly Dwindling, and Trump Faces Growing Pressure to End the Confrontation with Tehran and Avoid Serious Economic and Military Consequences
NYN | Reports and Analyses
sraeli media reports have revealed growing concerns within the security and political circles of Israel following leaks from senior American officials indicating a decline in the United States’ ability to sustain an open-ended military confrontation with Iran. The reports point to a rapid depletion of U.S. defensive capabilities and increasing pressure to end the conflict through a political settlement.
According to the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz, officials within the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) have begun conveying clear messages to Tel Aviv through media outlets close to the American administration, stating that Washington is not prepared to bear the burden of a prolonged war against Iran, either militarily or logistically.
Israeli Concerns Over Depletion of U.S. Defensive Stockpiles
The newspaper reported that recent intelligence leaks revealed a significant erosion in U.S. interceptor missile inventories, raising concerns within Israeli security institutions, particularly amid growing speculation that the U.S. administration may seek an agreement with Tehran that does not align with Israel’s strategic outlook.
It added that the leaks included indications that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be held responsible for any negative consequences resulting from a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Economic Pressures Driving a Settlement
Haaretz also cited the American news outlet The Free Press as reporting a growing belief within the U.S. administration that President Donald Trump is seeking a swift exit from the confrontation with Iran due to fears of far-reaching economic repercussions.
According to the sources, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to international shipping could inflict serious damage on the American economy, strengthening calls for a diplomatic path rather than continued military escalation.
Figures Highlight the Scale of U.S. Involvement in Defending Israel
In a related context, the newspaper highlighted military data indicating that the United States bore the majority of the burden in countering recent Iranian missile attacks. U.S. forces reportedly launched more than 300 interceptor missiles to protect Israeli airspace, compared with approximately 190 missiles launched by Israeli defense systems.
Military assessments also indicated that Washington deployed more than 200 advanced THAAD system missiles to Israel, representing roughly half of the U.S. strategic stockpile of that type. In addition, more than 100 interceptor missiles were reportedly launched from U.S. naval assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.
Washington Signals the Option of an Agreement with Tehran
Haaretz concluded its report by stating that these leaks appear to be part of a political and media effort aimed at convincing the Israeli leadership that the United States will not exhaust its global defensive arsenal in a long and costly war that it does not view as serving a direct national interest.
The newspaper added that influential circles within the U.S. administration increasingly regard a potential agreement with Iran—one that would include reopening maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and addressing unresolved economic and nuclear issues—as the most realistic path to avoiding further escalation, despite Israeli reservations that such an agreement would threaten its security and strategic interests.
