Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Trump To Order Piloted Bombing Missions in Iran Amid Shortage
America and Iran have been fighting a war for about five months.
The American military has used up almost all of its special long-range missiles.
These missiles, called ATACMS and PrSM, can hit faraway targets very accurately.
Each missile costs about one million dollars.
Since almost all of them are gone, America may have to send pilots in airplanes for bombing missions instead.
That is riskier because pilots can get hurt.
President Trump warned Iran that it must let ships use the Strait of Hormuz again very soon.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway where ships carrying energy from many countries travel.
Iran closed the waterway to get back at America and Israel for attacking it in February.
Trump said if Iran does not reopen the Strait, America will 'hit very hard.'
The US military has used 'virtually all' of its stockpile of long-range precision missiles, including ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles, during five months of war with Iran.
Reuters reports the depletion of the USD 1 million-per-missile arsenal could force President Trump to resort to riskier piloted bombing missions for any bigger strike on Iran.
Trump warned that Iran would face severe military action if it backs out of negotiations and said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen 'very soon.'
Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which carries nearly one-fifth of global energy supplies, in retaliation for the coordinated US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February.
A source said the US military could resupply, noting Central Command has been able to reload from US military supplies around the globe.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, the US military, and Iran
- What
- The US has used 'virtually all' of its long-range missile stockpiles in the Iran war, which could force riskier piloted bombing missions, while Trump warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz 'very soon.'
- When
- Over the past five months since the war erupted in February 2026; the report was published on August 05, 2026
- Where
- West Asia, centered on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
- Why
- The conflict escalated from what Trump expected to be a 'short excursion' into a large-scale war after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.
Trump Administration
Iranian Officials
Negotiation Status
Trump Administration
Trump says the US and Iran are having 'very good discussions' and that Iran does not like to admit it.
Iranian Officials
Someone coming out of Iran says the two sides have not met, contradicting Trump's claim of positive talks.
Strait of Hormuz
Trump Administration
Trump says the Strait will reopen 'very soon' or the US will 'hit very hard' to force it open.
Iranian Officials
Iran blocked the waterway in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks and has not indicated it will reopen it.
- Conflict
- US and Israel vs Iran; war erupted in February 2026
- Depleted arsenals
- Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM)
- Missile cost
- USD 1 million each
- Missile usage
- 'Virtually all' global stockpile used in five months
- Strait of Hormuz
- Carries nearly one-fifth of global energy supplies; blocked by Iran
- Trump warning
- Severe military action if Iran backs out of negotiations
- Source
- Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter