U.S. UN Ambassador Says Military Has Sufficient Arms Amid Reports of Depleted Stockpiles

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the United States possesses all the equipment required for any military campaign against Iran, countering recent reporting that U.S. weapons stockpiles are diminishing. > "I want to be crystal clear: The U.S. military, and I’ve verified this every which way, has everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as effectively as it needs to be," Waltz said, adding that those spreading the contrary information should face legal consequences. He responded to questions about an NBC News report alleging that U.S. commanders were allowing some Iranian attacks to pass through defenses to preserve Pentagon supplies, a claim attributed to two senior officials. Waltz also criticized the previous administration, stating that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth inherited a depleted situation from both the Ukraine conflict and ongoing operations against the Houthis, and that the military under the Trump administration shifted to new, cheaper munitions and increased defense budgets. The White House and Pentagon did not immediately comment. Defense Secretary Hegseth recently asked Congress for $67 billion in supplemental funding to expand weapons production and accelerate deliveries. In an April Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Hegseth acknowledged that rebuilding the stockpile could take months or years. Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, referenced that exchange and suggested the shortfall resulted from mismanagement, describing the current administration as incompetent. Kelly said he has not yet decided how to vote on the supplemental request. The United States has conducted nearly two weeks of nightly strikes against Iran, while President Donald Trump indicated ongoing diplomatic talks despite continued attacks on shipping routes. When asked if the president had ruled out further escalation, Waltz said the president was keeping all options open and that diplomatic discussions were proceeding at multiple levels.