Waltz Rejects $67 Billion Stockpile Alarm as Trump Keeps Iran Escalation Options Open
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jul 26
Waltz Rejects $67 Billion Stockpile Alarm as Trump Keeps Iran Escalation Options Open
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jul 26
Summary
Mike Waltz said the U.S. military has "everything that it needs" for operations against Iran, rejecting reports that commanders are conserving interceptors by letting some Iranian attacks through.
The denial comes as the Pentagon seeks $67 billion in supplemental funding to expand weapons production, after Pete Hegseth told senators in April replenishing stockpiles could take months and years.
Waltz blamed depleted inventories on the Biden-era draw from Ukraine and Houthi operations, saying the Trump administration is shifting toward cheaper munitions, new technologies and larger defense budgets.
Mark Kelly called the situation "by their own making" and said he has not decided whether to back the funding request, arguing the Pentagon's ask is unreasonable.
After nearly two weeks of nightly U.S. strikes on Iran, Waltz said Trump is giving talks space but keeping all options on the table; Trump said Saturday he would resume full-scale war if U.S. demands are unmet.