U.S. defense officials have told The Associated Press that a sizable number of Patriot air defense interceptor missiles have moved from Europe towards the Middle East. Two officials say this leaves concerning gaps in Europe's air defenses against Russia.
The body of an American student who went missing in Barcelona has been found, police in Spain saySecond top Republican retires in battleground Wisconsin, fueling Democratic hopesUS Mint can begin producing Trump commemorative gold coin after arts commission approves designFIFA fines Israel, denies key Palestinian complaint and urges Iran to fulfill World Cup scheduleDOJ investigation into Powell could backfire on Trump and keep Fed chair in officeNew study challenges a site that's key to how humans got to the AmericasToucan seen flying around Sin City has been rescuedAre expensive shampoos worth it? Here's what the experts have to sayA photo captures black spots on clothespins that reveal the environmental toll of conflict in TehranEnergy fallout from Iran war signals a global wake-up call for renewable energyFDA approves new higher-dose version of Wegovy shotsRFK Jr.
makes food sound like a miracle drug. Researchers say he often overstates the scienceJurors wade through daunting evidence in high-stakes Meta trial about social media risks to childrenHere’s what dermatologists are saying about your skin care routine: Keep it simplePope Leo endorses Francis' divisive 2016 text on Communion after civil remarriageIsrael ataca Teherán en el Año Nuevo persa mientras la guerra sacude los mercados energéticos makes food sound like a miracle drug. Researchers say he often overstates the scienceJurors wade through daunting evidence in high-stakes Meta trial about social media risks to childrenHere’s what dermatologists are saying about your skin care routine: Keep it simplePope Leo endorses Francis' divisive 2016 text on Communion after civil remarriageIsrael ataca Teherán en el Año Nuevo persa mientras la guerra sacude los mercados energéticosPlanes are parked at Dubai International Airport as smoke rises in the background after a drone struck a fuel tank early morning, forcing the temporary suspension of flights, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 16, 2026. Fire and plumes of smoke rises after a drone struck a fuel tank forcing the temporary suspension of flights. near Dubai International Airport, in United Arab Emirates, early Monday, March 16, 2026. An Iranian Shahed exploding drone launched by Russia flies through the sky seconds before it struck buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022. Planes are parked at Dubai International Airport as smoke rises in the background after a drone struck a fuel tank early morning, forcing the temporary suspension of flights, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 16, 2026. Planes are parked at Dubai International Airport as smoke rises in the background after a drone struck a fuel tank early morning, forcing the temporary suspension of flights, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 16, 2026. Fire and plumes of smoke rises after a drone struck a fuel tank forcing the temporary suspension of flights. near Dubai International Airport, in United Arab Emirates, early Monday, March 16, 2026. Fire and plumes of smoke rises after a drone struck a fuel tank forcing the temporary suspension of flights. near Dubai International Airport, in United Arab Emirates, early Monday, March 16, 2026. An Iranian Shahed exploding drone launched by Russia flies through the sky seconds before it struck buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022. An Iranian Shahed exploding drone launched by Russia flies through the sky seconds before it struck buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022. LONDON — A sizable number of U.S. Patriot air defense missiles have been moved from Europe toward the Middle East as Washingtontoward its war on Iran, leaving concerning gaps in Europe’s air defenses against Russia, U.S. defense officials told The Associated Press. The war in Iran, about to enter its fourth week, has seen the U.S. deploy thousands of troops to the region and pushed the Pentagon to seekTwo Patriot missile systems were sent from Germany to Turkey after several ballistic missiles were fired toward Turkey from Iran since the start of the war, the Turkish defense ministry and three U.S. officials said. The U.S. officials said missiles for the Patriot system were moved from various locations around Europe in an effort to reinforce air defenses towards the Middle East. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. One of the officials said stocks of Patriot missiles are “absolutely” dwindling in Europe and elsewhere because of the war in Iran, and added the situation is “pretty concerning.” Asked to comment on the missiles being moved, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to AP: “The US military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and weapons stockpiles to achieve the goals of Operation Epic Fury laid out by President Trump — and beyond.” One of the three U.S. officials said there is still “plenty” of capacity in NATO to defend Europe, adding that part of the reason the US has assets in different places is to project power globally.The war in Ukraine has shown how effective the Patriot system is against a wide range of threats including maneuverable hypersonic missiles such as But in the Middle East, the U.S. and its allies are using Patriots “against threats that don’t require them,” one of the officials said, such as comparativelyPatriots, the official said, should be used to protect high-end ground systems — such as precision strike missiles the U.S. is firing from HIMARS launchers in the Middle East — from enemy attack. The Patriots are being redeployed as Russia is continuing to pursue its war in Ukraine, with some of the European countries near Russia facing the effects, including incursions of Russian drones from theEverything that moves out of Europe is a capability that “can’t respond to Russia,” if Moscow decides to take advantage of an opportunity, the U.S. defense official said.NATO defenses have intercepted three ballistic missiles fired from Iran over Turkey’s airspace since President Donald Trump launched his war with Iran on Feb. 28, Turkey’s defense ministry said. The Turkish defense ministry said a Patriot missile system was sent from Ramstein air base in Germany to Incirlik Air Base where U.S. and NATO forces are based. Last week Turkey said NATO had positioned another Patriot system in the southeastern Malatya province, where a NATO radar station is based. General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. -- and NATO -- forces in Europe, also said Wednesday that some air defense capabilities in Europe were moved toward the Middle East. Captain Reann Mommsen, spokesperson for U.S. European Command, which is responsible for American military operations in Europe, did not comment on the concerns of shortages and said she could not discuss movement or locations of missiles due to reasons of operational security. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for more Patriot missiles and systems, and this week President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Kyiv will “definitely” face shortages of Patriots because of the U.S. war against Iran. A German military official said he has not yet seen information to suggest there are operational shortfalls in Ukraine caused by the war in the Middle East. But he said shortfalls may occur in the near future, eventually weakening Ukraine’s endurance and capabilities. He also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. In an interview with the BBC, Zelenskyy said the U.S. produces 60-65 Patriot missiles per month, around 700-800 a year and that 803 were used on the first day of the war in the Middle East.during the first 96 hours of the war with Iran. It said the total number used by Washington and its partners including Gulf states was approximately 943.The Merops system can fit in the back of a pickup truck and takes down drones much more cheaply than by using a missile as it flies drones against drones. Officials said the U.S. response to countering Iran’s Shahed drones was “disappointing,” particularly because the Shaheds are a much more basic version of the same drone that Russia is continuously refining and updating in its war in Ukraine. The U.S. now has a “limited” amount of operational Merops anti-drone systems in the Middle East, one of the U.S. defense officials said. Further systems are on their way and training in the Middle East is being carried out, they added.
Iran War General News Donald Trump Volodymyr Zelenskyy Military And Defense Middle East Turkey United States Government War And Unrest Drone Surveillance And Warfare Military Technology United States NATO Eurocopa 2024 Turkey Government Iran World News North Atlantic Treaty Organization Washington News Karoline Leavitt Alexus Grynkewich Russia Ukraine War Politics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Photos of Trump at a ceremony for US service members killed in Middle EastDOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) — President Donald Trump paid his respects at a military base in Delaware where the remains of six U.S. service members were
Read more »
Trump pays respects to 6 US service members killed in the Middle EastPresident Donald Trump paid his respects at a Delaware military base where the remains of six U.S. service members killed in the crash of a refueling aircraft were returned to their families.
Read more »
Iran war: Why America can’t escape Middle East oil pricesWhy is your gas bill climbing even though the U.S. is a top oil exporter? Today on Fox 10 Talks, we’re joined by New York Times business reporter Emmett Lindner to demystify the 'oil paradox' and explain why a conflict in Iran still dictates the price at your local pump.
Read more »
Trump pays his respects in Delaware to 6 service members killed in the Middle EastAll six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft were killed last week in a plane crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. They were from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Washington state.
Read more »
theSkimm Updates: Middle East, NWSL Partnership, and Book Club LaunchtheSkimm highlights the Strait of Hormuz in Middle East coverage, announces its second year as a media partner for the NWSL, and launches a new book club with 'Little One' by Olivia Muenter. Also mentions a recap show focusing on sports drama and analysis.
Read more »
State Department cut jobs with deep expertise in Middle East as Iran crisis escalatesWASHINGTON (AP) — In the escalating war in Iran, the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs would ordinarily be at the center of the geopolitical
Read more »