US used about a quarter of its high-end missile interceptors in Israel-Iran war

According to CNN, the United States blew through about a quarter of its supply of high-end THAAD missile interceptors during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, thwarting attacks at a rate that vastly outpaces production.

US forces countered Tehran’s barrage of ballistic missiles by firing more than 100 THAADs (short for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) – and possibly as many as 150 – a significant portion of America’s stockpile of the advanced air defense system, the sources said. The US has seven THAAD systems, and used two of them in Israel in the conflict.

Using so many THAAD interceptors in such a short period exposed a gap in the US missile defense network and depleted a costly asset at a moment when American public support for Israeli defense has reached historic lows.

Former US defense officials and missile experts told CNN that the rapid drawdown has also raised concerns about America’s global security posture and ability to regenerate supplies at speed.

Last year, the US produced only 11 new THAAD interceptors and is expected to receive just 12 more this fiscal year.

In response to questions regarding the US’s THAAD stockpile and the expenditure of interceptors during the 12-day conflict, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the US military is the strongest it has even been and has everything it needs to conduct any mission anywhere, anytime, all around the world. If you need further proof, look no further than Operation Midnight Hammer and the total obliteration of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

CNN reported that an early intelligence assessment determined the US’ strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last month did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months.

The US administration dismissed the assessment, and the CIA later said it had evidence Iran’s nuclear program was severely damaged.

Despite the heavy use of THAADs during the 12-day war to help fend off Tehran’s assault last month, dozens of Iranian missiles still struck Israel.

THAAD is a mobile system that can engage and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside of the Earth’s atmosphere during their final phase of flight. Each battery is operated by 95 American soldiers, armed with six launchers, and 48 interceptors. The interceptors are manufactured by Lockheed Martin and cost roughly US$12.7 million, according to the 2025 Missile Defense Agency budget.