US Lacks Sufficient Missiles for Full-Scale War with Iran, Official Warns

A United States official has warned that the US does not have enough missiles to become embroiled in an all-out war with Iran.

It has been reported that US President Donald Trump is considering options to launch a “broader war” against Tehran, as increasing numbers of American fighter jets are deployed to the Middle East.

However, a US official familiar with the administration’s deliberations revealed that such an operation would be constrained by dwindling stocks of air defence systems and long-range munitions.

“We don’t have enough munitions to sustain operations safely, and I don’t think the White House realises it,” the US official told The Washington Post, as reported by The Telegraph on Tuesday (21/7/2026).

The US has expanded its attacks during nine consecutive days of strikes against Iran, moving closer to all-out war in the region.

Iran, in turn, has continued to launch attacks across the region in response, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announcing that they have struck targets in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria. The IRGC even vowed to deliver an unforgettable lesson to the US, one that would deter anyone attempting aggression against Iran.

“Now that criminal America has once again chosen the path of error, aggression and adventurism, we are firmly bound to this covenant: that we will deliver an ‘unforgettable lesson’… a lesson that will prevent any aggressor from repeating its mistake,” the IRGC said in a statement.

The IRGC also said they would never trust the US and its promises to reach a settlement with Iran through negotiation.

“We promise that… we will never tie the fate of this nation to the promises of a murderous enemy whose record is replete with broken trust, deceit and hatred towards the Iranian nation,” the IRGC said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is engaged in a “full-scale war” with the US, and Washington must accept the consequences of the conflict.

Nevertheless, both sides have signalled that diplomacy continues behind the scenes.