The Washington Post reports that Washington is considering assisting Israel in strikes against Iran, which has warned of retaliation.
According to the Washington Post, Israel’s air defenses could run out of interceptors for Iranian ballistic missiles in less than two weeks without significant US resupply or direct involvement.
Following an Israeli strike in Iran last Friday, which it described as a preemptive move against Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran has launched multiple drone and missile attacks against Israel. US forces are reportedly helping Israel intercept these projectiles. While President Trump has hinted at US involvement in a potential bombing campaign, no final decision has been made. Iran has warned that any US intervention would have “irreparable” consequences.
The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that intercepting Iranian missiles and drones has been expensive for Israel, potentially costing as much as $285 million per night, according to Israeli media.
Citing an unnamed source, the WaPo reports that at the current rate of Iranian attacks, Israel can only sustain its air defense capabilities for another 10 to 12 days without US resupply or deeper American involvement. The report suggests that Israel may need to start rationing its air defense missiles as early as later this week.
The anonymous source told WaPo, “They will need to select what they want to intercept,” adding, “The system is already overwhelmed.”
Israel uses a multi-layered air defense system, relying on the Arrow system to intercept heavy Iranian ballistic missiles. While the Iron Dome is effective against rockets fired by Hamas, it is not effective against Iran’s heavier ballistic missiles, according to Israeli missile expert Tal Inbar, as reported by WaPo.
Former senior Pentagon advisor Dan Caldwell noted that Israel’s Arrow and David’s Sling systems likely used a significant number of interceptors against Houthi and Iranian attacks earlier in the year, adding that these missiles are costly and take a long time to manufacture.
The former defense official wrote on X on Monday, “It is therefore likely that Israel and the US are going to have to start rationing their interceptors soon (if they haven’t already).”
Since Tuesday, Trump has repeatedly demanded Tehran’s “unconditional surrender,” claiming uncontested US control of Iranian airspace and suggesting that assassinating Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be “easy.” Several media outlets have indicated that the US president may join the Israeli campaign against Iran imminently.
Tehran has stated that it will “not capitulate to anyone in the face of coercion” and has threatened retaliation against any attack.
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