The United States is facing significant gaps in its military readiness for a potential confrontation with China after the war with Iran depleted key weapons stockpiles, according to Pentagon officials and defence analysts. With barely 1,000 Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors remaining, more than 30 warships pulled out of the Indo-Pacific, and $30 billion in weapons still owed to Taiwan, the shortfalls come as Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taiwan and builds up installations in the South China Sea, with Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly having ordered his forces to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027.

Figures published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies show the US has burned through most of its pre-war interceptor stocks, leaving a defensive arsenal analysts say is vastly outmatched by China's estimated 3,000-plus ballistic missiles. More than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired in the first four weeks of the Iran conflict alone, with the total now topping 1,000 out of pre-war stockpiles estimated at 3,100 to 4,500. Despite the reported strain, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have publicly insisted that US weapons reserves remain fully stocked, even as tension reportedly grows between them behind the scenes over the depletion.