US Military Strikes Iran & Deploys Tomahawk Missiles: Updates & Concerns

The United States military has fired more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Iran since the start of the current conflict, a usage rate that has prompted internal concerns within the Pentagon regarding dwindling stockpiles and future readiness. The sustained bombardment, part of Operation Epic Fury, has consumed an estimated quarter of the U.S. Military’s arsenal of the long-range strike weapons, according to reports citing unnamed officials.

The military operation against Iran began on February 28, 2026. As of April 2, 2026, the campaign has entered its fourth week. The rate at which the weapons have been deployed has sparked discussions among defense officials about the need to increase supplies, with some describing the remaining inventory in the Middle East as “alarmingly low.” One official indicated that the U.S. Supply was approaching “Winchester,” military slang indicating that a unit is almost out of ammunition.

Record Missile Usage in Operation Epic Fury

Analysis of strike data by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates that the U.S. Military has fired more Tomahawk missiles during the month-old Operation Epic Fury than in any other military campaign in history. If the figure of 850 strikes is accurate, it surpasses the 802 Tomahawk strikes launched during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Previous high-volume campaigns include Operation Desert Fox in 1998, which involved 325 strikes, and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, which saw 288 launches over a 42-day period.

The high burn rate has raised questions about the resilience of U.S. Weapons stocks. A CSIS analysis noted that replenishing inventory after this campaign will take time and creates near-term risk for the United States. The Tomahawk missile, which can be launched from submarines and Navy warships, is estimated to cost more than $2 million per unit. Many of the missiles were utilized during the first days of the war, according to people familiar with the matter.

Strategic Implications for the Indo-Pacific

The depletion of Tomahawk stocks has broader implications for U.S. Defense strategy beyond the Middle East. The Department of Defense has increasingly focused on the resilience of weapons stocks as it envisages future high-end scenarios in the Pacific, particularly a potential conflict over Taiwan. The Tomahawk is considered a primary weapon system for such a conflict, where target sets can range into the tens of thousands.

According to reporting on the matter, only a few hundred examples of the critical long-range strike weapon are manufactured each year, meaning the global supply is limited. While inventory numbers are classified, analysts have estimated a higher-end figure of between 4,000 and 4,500 Tomahawk missiles were on hand at the start of Operation Epic Fury, with lower-end figures closer to 3,000. The consumption of 850 missiles represents a significant portion of this total. Experts warn that China’s anti-access umbrella would require the use of standoff munitions like none other in history, making current stockpile levels a point of strategic concern.

Civilian Casualties and Strike Details

Amid the strategic concerns, preliminary findings from an investigation suggest that a Tomahawk missile was likely responsible for a strike on an elementary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab during the first weekend of the conflict. The strike reportedly killed 175 people, including children. This incident highlights the human cost of the high-intensity missile campaign that has characterized the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury.

Pentagon Response

Despite reports of low supplies, Pentagon leadership has publicly maintained that operational capabilities remain intact. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell addressed the media concerns in a statement, asserting that the U.S. Military “has everything it needs to execute any mission at the time and place of the President’s choosing and on any timeline.” Parnell further criticized media coverage, stating that outlets were “obsessed with portraying the world’s strongest military as weak.”

Nevertheless, the internal talks regarding increasing supplies suggest that the logistical reality of sustaining a high-tempo missile campaign over a month-long period presents challenges for the U.S. Navy and defense planners. The conflict continues to draw attention from international observers monitoring both the immediate humanitarian situation in Iran and the long-term readiness of U.S. Forces in the Indo-Pacific region.