Trump Furious Over 'Iran War Weapons Shortage' Leak... Polygraph Tests for 50 U.S. Joint Chiefs Members

Thousands of High-Cost Missiles and Air Defense Interceptors Depleted, Replenishment Difficult

"Investigation Aims Both to Identify Leakers and Issue a Warning Against Future Releases"

The U.S. Department of Defense conducted polygraph tests on approximately 50 members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to identify the sources of media reports alleging that the military was facing weapons shortages due to the war with Iran.

Patriot missiles of the U.S. military deployed in the Middle East. Photo by APF Yonhap News

On September 4 (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that both military and civilian staff affiliated with the Joint Chiefs were investigated to determine whether they leaked classified information to the media or provided details regarding diminished U.S. military weapons inventories. NYT described the investigation as an unprecedented, large-scale polygraph test targeting top military officials.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the NYT was told, "The purpose of this investigation appears to be to identify individuals who may have leaked information, and to warn others who might engage in similar actions in the future." Amid continued media coverage of key weapons shortages, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly pressured for aggressive action to identify the alleged "traitorous" leakers. Analysts interpret the Joint Chiefs' investigation as a "follow-up measure" by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his loyal close aides in response to this pressure.

However, the results of polygraph tests are, in principle, not recognized as direct evidence in U.S. federal or military courts.

Meanwhile, ever since the war began in February, repeated use of American missiles—each costing several million dollars per round—to intercept Iran's low-cost drones and other threats has continued to raise concerns over the expense of the war. In addition, as the U.S. military's missile stockpile has rapidly diminished, there have been reports that missiles meant for Europe or the Asia-Pacific—which are needed for deterrence against China and Russia—are being diverted away from those regions to the Middle East.

The NYT estimated that, although the U.S. government is attempting to accelerate weapons production, it could take more than two years to replenish the stockpiles of Patriot air defense missiles, over 1,500 of which have been consumed in the Iran war. Two U.S. officials added that current reserves of these missiles are below 1,700 units.

Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, reportedly briefed President Donald Trump on the risks posed by depleted weapons inventories. Nevertheless, according to the NYT, President Trump chose to push forward with the offensive, convinced that the war with Iran would be short-lived.

Tom Karako, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), warned in relation to the weapons stockpile depletion, "There is no way this situation does not have a significant impact on the calculations of China and Russia." Furthermore, U.S. officials well-versed in defense intelligence said China and Russia are closely tracking and estimating U.S. military stockpiles not only through public sources, but also via reconnaissance satellites.

The White House and the Department of Defense are officially denying the existence of a weapons shortage.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.