Trending Now - US Interceptors Outnumber Israel's in Defense Against Iran Threats
WHO:
The Times of Israel - The United States and Israel are involved in the military operations against Iran.
The Times of Israel - A US official commented on Israel's military capabilities.
Alternet - Kelly Grieco, Senior Adjunct Fellow at the Stimson Center, provided insights on the situation.
WHAT:
The Times of Israel - The US reportedly used up more than half of its inventory of THAAD anti-missile interceptors while defending Israel from Iranian attacks during the recent war.
Alternet - The US fired roughly half of the Pentagon’s total inventory of THAAD interceptors in defense of Israel, along with more than 100 SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors.
Alternet - The US is left with roughly 200 THAAD interceptors and a production line that can’t keep pace with demand.
Alternet - A US official warned that if fighting renews with Iran, the US military would likely expend an even greater share of interceptors due to Israel taking some of its missile defense batteries offline for maintenance.
The Times of Israel - At least 16 missiles carrying conventional warheads struck populated areas in Israel, causing extensive damage, along with more than 50 incidents of missiles carrying cluster bomb warheads hitting populated areas.
The Times of Israel - The US used over 200 THAAD interceptors to defend Israel from Iranian attacks.
The Times of Israel - The US launched more than 100 SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors during the conflict.
The Times of Israel - Israel used fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David Sling interceptors.
IJR - The US military expended more missiles defending Israel than Israeli forces did.
Alternet - The US has depleted much of its inventory of advanced missile-defense interceptors.
The Times of Israel - A fragile ceasefire came into effect on April 8.
The Times of Israel - Approximately 650 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran at Israel during the war, resulting in 21 Israeli civilian and foreign national deaths, along with four Palestinian deaths in the West Bank.
WHERE:
The Times of Israel - The conflict primarily involves Israel and Iran.
WHEN:
The Times of Israel - The joint US-Israel campaign against Iran was launched on February 28.
WHY:
The Times of Israel - The goal of the US-Israel campaign was to degrade Iran's military capabilities and create conditions for the Iranian people to topple the regime.
HOW:
The Times of Israel - The US expended more advanced interceptors to protect Israel than Israeli forces did.
The Times of Israel - The Pentagon stated that ballistic missile interceptors are part of a vast network of systems and capabilities.
(UPDATED May 23, 2026 01:33 UTC)
The U.S. has reportedly used up more than half of its inventory of THAAD anti-missile interceptors in defense of Israel during the recent conflict with Iran, along with over 100 SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors. Currently, the U.S. has about 200 THAAD interceptors left, but production is struggling to keep up with demand, and a U.S. official has warned that if fighting resumes, the military could expend even more interceptors due to Israel's missile defense batteries being offline for maintenance. Meanwhile, at least 16 missiles with conventional warheads and over 50 carrying cluster bomb warheads have struck populated areas in Israel, causing significant damage.
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(UPDATED May 22, 2026 13:49 UTC)
The United States and Israel are currently engaged in military operations against Iran, utilizing a significant number of advanced missile-defense interceptors. In this conflict, the US has deployed over 200 THAAD interceptors and more than 100 SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors, while Israel has used fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David Sling interceptors. A fragile ceasefire, which came into effect on April 8, follows a period of intense conflict that saw approximately 650 ballistic missiles launched from Iran at Israel, resulting in civilian casualties on both sides.