Israel warns US its ballistic missile interceptors are running critically low amid Iranian attacks

According to a Semafor report citing US officials, Israel informed Washington this week that its stock of ballistic missile interceptors has fallen to critically low levels. Israel’s long range air defense system is under heavy pressure as a result of ongoing Iranian attacks.

The report said the US has been aware of Israel’s interceptor shortage for months. “This was something we expected and anticipated,” a US official said. The same official added that the United States itself is not facing a similar shortage of interceptor missiles.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, however, rejected claims on Sunday that the country’s interceptor stockpile is dwindling.

Defense analysts speaking to Military Times on March 5 warned that if the war lasts longer than US President Donald Trump initially predicted, the US military’s limited interceptor missile stockpile could come under strain and potentially be depleted.

US struggling to protect bases

Although the war has been underway for only two weeks, reports indicate that the US military is already struggling to defend its network of bases across the region, including in Gulf countries and Iraq.

Trump initially said the war would last only a few days but later acknowledged it could stretch on for months. On Friday he said the conflict would end “when the time comes according to my instincts.”

Semafor reported that it remains unclear whether the US will sell or provide its own interceptor missiles to Israel, noting that such a move could place additional pressure on American stockpiles.

A US official said: “We have everything we need to protect our bases in the region, our personnel and our interests,” adding that Israel is also working on solutions to address its interceptor missile gap.

Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell told Semafor that the military has all the capabilities required to carry out any mission at any time and place determined by Trump.

Cluster munition factor

Semafor also cited a CNN report indicating that Iran’s addition of cluster munitions to its missiles could accelerate the depletion of Israel’s interceptor missile stocks.

Successfully intercepting a ballistic missile usually requires firing two to four interceptor missiles. If the missile fragments or releases decoys, additional interceptors are used. Some reports indicate that intercepting an advanced Iranian missile may require between 12 and 15 interceptor missiles.

The challenge grows further as Iran equips some ballistic missiles with cluster munitions that disperse over a wide area.

According to CNN, most Iranian ballistic missiles carry roughly 24 small bomblets. The Khorramshahr missile can carry up to 80.

CNN reported that Israel’s air defenses have successfully intercepted most Iranian ballistic missiles but noted that stopping these numerous, small munitions before they reach the ground is more difficult.

In such cases Israel may have to launch dozens of interceptor missiles to neutralize the threat posed by a single incoming missile.

Missile expert Tal Inbar, who advises Israeli defense companies, said: “This is a challenge. It is a question of balance between the number of missiles in Iran and the number of interceptors. Whether in Israel, Abu Dhabi or Qatar, the principle is the same.”

The Times of Israel responded to the Semafor report by questioning claims of an interceptor missile shortage.

The outlet wrote: “This report has not been verified and some details do not align with Israel’s known interception procedures and operations.”

The Times of Israel also said Iran is launching only a few missiles per day at Israel and argued that a “critical shortage” would imply that Israel has fewer than ten interceptor missiles remaining.

According to Semafor, selling or sharing US interceptor missiles with Israel could place strain on US stockpiles. However, the Times of Israel said Israel is not currently using a US operated air defense system.

The report also noted that, according to CNN, Iranian cluster munitions are intercepted not by Israel’s ballistic missile defense system but by a separate system known as Iron Dome.