Israel informed the US this week that it is running critically low on ballistic missile interceptors as wars with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon continue, the US news site Semafor reported on Saturday, citing US officials.
Israel's foreign minister has denied these claims.
According to some reports, Israel had already entered the current war low on interceptors, many of which were fired during the 12-day conflict with Iran in June last year.
CNN has reported that Iran was using cluster munitions with missiles fired at Israel, further straining Israel’s long-range defence system.
While Israel has aerial superiority with its range of powerful fighter jets – including F16s and F35s – its interceptors are essential for defence against Iranian ballistic missiles.
While retaliating against Israel, Iran has also fired thousands of missiles and drones at neighbouring Gulf states, claiming that the US was using their territories to attack Iran.
Tehran claims it is striking American interests in the Gulf, but energy infrastructure, ports, airports, and other strategic sites have been targeted.
Despite being significantly weakened, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group in Lebanon which joined the war on 2 March, has also been firing missiles at northern Israel.
One of the officials told Semafor that the US has been aware of Israel’s low capacity for months, saying it’s something the Americans expected and anticipated.
The official told Semafor that the US itself was not running low on its own interceptors. It is unclear whether the US might seek to sell or share any of its own interceptors with Israel, which could strain its own supplies.
The United States has offered Israel unwavering support for its wars in the region since late 2023.
But some in Washington believe the United States and Israel weren’t fully prepared for the war on Iran which began on 28 February, and has so far killed over 1,400 Iranians.
US President Donald Trump’s administration bypassed Congress to speed up the sale of more than 20,000 bombs to Israel worth nearly $650 million, US officials said earlier this week.
However, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday denied that Israel was running low on interceptors.
Asked about this and whether Israel could hold direct talks with Lebanon on a ceasefire there, Saar said "For the two questions, the answer is no."
He also said that Israel sees "eye-to-eye" with the US in the war with Iran, now in its 16th day, and that the two allies were determined to continue until their goals are achieved.
"We want to remove the existential threats from Iran for the long term. We don't want to go every year to another war," he told reporters.