Pentagon chief denies US military faces munitions stockpile crisis

Pentagon chief denies US military faces munitions stockpile crisis US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that the American military was facing a munitions stockpile shortage, saying on Sunday that it was a “manufactured story” peddled by the media. Hegseth’s comments came hours before the United States and Iran said they reached a ceasefire deal. Hegseth dismissed the idea when asked on CBS News’ Face the Nation if there was a crisis in munitions stockpiles. "That is a manufactured story that the media wants to peddle, and ultimately our stockpiles are great and they're only getting stronger," he said. "We're building more than ever before. The Biden administration gave away hundreds of billions to Ukraine, and so President Trump had to refill, and he has, and we have, in real time." At an April congressional hearing, Hegseth testified that it could take "months and years" to replenish the stockpile, describing it as a "fast" time frame. He said on Sunday that, in his testimony, he "speculated some munitions take more time than others" to refill. The Pentagon said last month that the cost of the war with Iran had climbed to nearly $29 billion. Democrats and other critics of the war have questioned the Pentagon's calculations, suggesting the true cost could be far higher.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that the American military was facing a munitions stockpile shortage, saying on Sunday that it was a “manufactured story” peddled by the media.

Hegseth’s comments came hours before the United States and Iran said they reached a ceasefire deal.

Hegseth dismissed the idea when asked on CBS News’ Face the Nation if there was a crisis in munitions stockpiles.

"That is a manufactured story that the media wants to peddle, and ultimately our stockpiles are great and they're only getting stronger," he said.

"We're building more than ever before. The Biden administration gave away hundreds of billions to Ukraine, and so President Trump had to refill, and he has, and we have, in real time."

At an April congressional hearing, Hegseth testified that it could take "months and years" to replenish the stockpile, describing it as a "fast" time frame. He said on Sunday that, in his testimony, he "speculated some munitions take more time than others" to refill.

The Pentagon said last month that the cost of the war with Iran had climbed to nearly $29 billion.

Democrats and other critics of the war have questioned the Pentagon's calculations, suggesting the true cost could be far higher.