US used more missile interceptors defending Israel than its own forces did: Report

US used more missile interceptors defending Israel than its own forces did: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 05/21/2026 - 21:05 US has just 200 Thaad interceptors left if it restarts war on Iran, after a massive imbalance in defence of ally Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system are pictured over Tel Aviv, Israel, on 28 February 2026 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off The US military used more of its advanced missile defence interceptors to defend Israel from Iranian attacks than its ally spent defending its own homeland, according to a report by The Washington Post published on Thursday. The heavy burden the US endured to defend Israel has caused the shortage of interceptors that Middle East Eye and other outlets reported  on previously. The US's Gulf allies were brushed off when they requested interceptor refills, MEE reported during the height of the war. Israel did send Iron Dome batteries and personnel to defend its close Arab partner, the UAE. The US launched more than 200 Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) interceptors in defence of Israel, roughly half of the Pentagon’s total inventory, the Washington Post reported. The US also fired more than 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors from vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean. Israel fired fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling interceptors. The latter were also used to shoot down projectiles fired from the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both groups generally have fewer advanced missiles and drones than Iran. 'Lopsided dynamic' The Washington Post said that the numbers reflect a “lopsided dynamic” in the mil...

Original source: Middle East Eye