US Doesn’t Have Enough Missiles To Return To All-out  War With Iran

The US does not have enough missiles to sustain an all-out war with Iran, a senior American official has warned, as President Donald Trump weighs options for a “wider war” in the Middle East.

The official, familiar with administration discussions, told _The Washington Post_ that planned operations would be limited by dwindling stockpiles of air defence and long-range munitions.

“We do not have enough to safely sustain operations, and I don’t think the White House is aware of that,” the official said.

The warning comes as the US entered a ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with more American warplanes deployed to the region.

The latest barrage over the weekend was described by the White House as intended to “punish” Tehran for attacks last week that killed three US soldiers, with a suspected fourth death. 

On Monday, the Pentagon identified two of the dead as 1st Lt Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Pte Isabella Gonzales, 19. US Central Command, Centcom, said human remains had been located at the air base in Jordan, but had not yet confirmed if they belonged to a third soldier. Mr Trump later said the death toll was “probably” three.

Another US soldier died on Saturday in northern Iraq during “a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone,” Centcom said. Dozens more were reported injured in Iranian strikes on US bases in Jordan last week.

Mr Trump said the US had “hit them very hard again” on Sunday night “in honour of the three great patriots.” 

“Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They’ve lost everything almost militarily. They’ve got very little left,” he told reporters.

Iran has continued its barrages across the region. The Revolutionary Guards said they hit targets in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria. Bahrain said Tehran targeted its air navigation systems. Kuwait also reported missile and drone attacks on a power station and water desalination facility, which it called “a direct strike on vital civilian infrastructure.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was engaged in a “full-scale war” with the US and Washington should “accept the repercussions.”

The IRGC also claimed a “surprise attack” on an enemy command centre in Syria’s Al-Tanf region and warned of a “punitive operation” in the Strait of Hormuz, saying “not a single drop of oil and gas” would pass safely while US “aggression” continued.

UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a vessel on fire off northern Oman after being hit by an “unknown projectile.” Sailors abandoned the ship, which was adrift near the Strait of Hormuz.

Explosions were also reported early Monday in Bandar Mahshahr, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Tabriz, Chabahar and Konarak, Iranian state media said.

Centcom said the mission aimed to “diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

Despite the escalation, both sides signalled diplomacy continues. 

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said Tehran had received proposals from mediators. “Diplomacy also knows its duties well and spares no efforts,” he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday: “We’ve tried multiple times with Iran, and we’ll continue to try. If that door opens, we’ll be happy to see it open.”

F-16 jets from Germany and F-35s from Britain were being deployed to the Middle East, along with aerial refuelling aircraft, _The New York Times_ reported, citing officials. The equipment was ordered before the Jordan base attack, with Mr Trump previously signalling plans to target key infrastructure including bridges and power plants.

However, experts warned the US is also unprepared for ground operations inside Iran, an option Mr Trump has not ruled out.

Iran said the US had attacked an under-construction nuclear plant in Darkhovin, south-west Iran. The IAEA said it was investigating and that the incident was “not believed to pose any radiological risk.” Director Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for “military restraint in the vicinity of all nuclear-related sites.”

At home, polling shows Mr Trump’s approval rating stuck at 37 per cent, with most Americans doubting fuel prices will return to normal. _The New York Times_, citing US officials, said the Pentagon had not fully disclosed injuries or damage, despite obligations to inform the public about the war.