Full story
Camp David Munitions Clash
Donald Trump denied reports of U.S. munitions shortages and said the United States has "massive amounts of 'munitions,' especially of certain types," after reporting alleged he clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over depleted missile stockpiles tied to the Iran conflict.
“The Republican leader lashed out on his Truth Social platform at media reports about the dwindling weapons stockpile”
Euronews said Trump made the threat on Thursday that "the 'leakers' of these treasonous statements are being hunted down" and that "Long term jail sentences will be sought!" as his frustration with the Iran war boiled over.
The Washington Post reporting described Trump demanding answers from Hegseth at a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat, where Trump told Hegseth he thought the munitions issue "had been fixed," according to Euronews.
Euronews also reported that CNN said shortages of long-range guided missiles and air-defence interceptors affected Trump's strategy in the conflict with Iran, with the U.S. military having "nearly exhausted 80%" of its stock of THAAD interceptors.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt branded the exchange "FAKE NEWS!" and wrote on X, "This literally never happened," while Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the reports were "equally fictional."
Denials and Competing Accounts
The White House and Pentagon denied the Washington Post account, with India Today saying the report was called "fake news" and that Trump confronted Hegseth over dwindling U.S. munitions during the Iran conflict.
India Today quoted White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling the report "100% fake news" and insisting, "Literally never happened. And President Trump has the utmost confidence in Secretary Hegseth."
India Today also said Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell denied claims that Hegseth blamed Deputy Defence Secretary Feinberg, adding that Hegseth "did not mislead anyone about our munitions posture, and he did not blame Deputy Secretary Feinberg."
In the same dispute, Türkiye Today reported Trump warned that "The 'leakers' of these treasonous statements are being hunted down" and added, "Long-term jail sentences will be sought!" on Truth Social.
Türkiye Today further said Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell disputed the account in full, stating, "Every aspect of this reporting is completely false," according to NBC News.
Strait of Hormuz Stakes
Euronews linked Trump’s comments to diplomacy around the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran and Oman finalised an agreement on what Tehran calls the geographical coordinates of a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran and Oman are preparing a joint statement”
Euronews reported Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran and Oman are preparing a joint statement on the agreement, and it also said Iranian media quoted official sources saying reopening of the Strait would depend on the U.S. ending its naval blockade of the country's ports.
Euronews added that Iran’s foreign ministry denied there are any negotiations underway with Washington, even as Trump said Tehran was keen for a deal.
Stars and Stripes reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back against depleted interceptor stockpile reports by responding to a CNN banner on X with "NOT TRUE" and adding: "Shame on you."
Stars and Stripes said CSIS analysts estimated the U.S. had between 759 and 827 Patriot interceptors left and between 234 and 278 THAAD interceptors as of July 27, while also noting that American and partner forces have relied heavily on Patriot and THAAD systems across the Middle East.
