Allegations of Iran-related tension on the Trump-Hegseth line

The Washington Post has alleged that there is tension between US President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth due to ammunition stocks affecting military options against Iran.

According to the report, Trump asked Hegseth behind the scenes at a cabinet meeting held at Camp David last week why he had been misinformed or under-informed regarding shortages in certain critical munitions. The claim, based on two sources familiar with the matter, stated that Trump told Hegseth he "thought the ammunition problem was solved."

One of the sources argued that the shortage, particularly in long-range guided missiles and air defense interceptor missiles, was a factor in Trump's recent hesitation to pursue more comprehensive new attack plans against Iran.

It was previously stated that on Monday, Trump said he had ordered the "largest attack since World War II" due to allegations of new negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz, only to cancel it later.

Following the Washington Post report, Trump argued in a post on his Truth Social account that the US has a "very large amount" of ammunition. Trump stated that as much ammunition as needed is being produced and shipped to the US, adding that those who leaked this information would be found.

Trump later reiterated his support for Hegseth in another post. The US President said, "I am extremely pleased with the work Pete Hegseth is doing. Everything has been extraordinary."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also rejected the allegations in her response to the Washington Post's questions. Leavitt said, "This story is 100 percent false. Such an event absolutely did not happen. President Trump has full confidence in Secretary of Defense Hegseth."

The report stated that although the US has announced new production agreements for critical munitions such as Patriot air defense missiles, the production process can take up to two years, making it difficult to find a quick solution to the stock problem in the short term.

According to information previously reported by the Washington Post, the US used more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and over a thousand Patriot and THAAD air defense systems in the first month of the war. A US official said that more than 1,300 tactical ballistic missiles were used in the first weeks of the war.

The report also alleged that the stock of short-range ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine has also requested, is almost completely exhausted. A US official stated that the shortage of interceptor missiles has also changed decisions on using ammunition against incoming threats.

It was alleged that during the meeting at Camp David, Hegseth defended himself and pointed to his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, regarding the ammunition shortage and the failure to fully inform Trump. According to numerous officials who spoke to the Washington Post, Hegseth was one of the figures who convinced Trump that a war against Iran would be short and easily won.