Leaks from the Pentagon last week – as reported by media in the United States – have suggested that if strikes on Iran continue for more than 10 days, US stocks of some critical missiles could start to run low.

At least six Americans and hundreds of Iranians have died since the technologically-advanced warfare began.

Patriot missile batteries have been the iconic air defense system in the United States’ arsenal for several decades, but evolving threats – from cheap rockets to even cheaper drones – have forced the U.

US President Donald Trump criticises current ammunition levels, claiming stockpiles do not meet expectations after supplies were sent to Ukraine.

Taiwan’s legislature has approved key paperwork for four US weapons systems but political parties are still negotiating the passage of a stalled US$40 billion special defense budget.

The United States Department of Defense’s decision on February 27 to reject the artificial intelligence company Anthropic’s ethical red lines for AI for military use is a clear sign that the Pentagon is unlikely to uphold meaningful safeguards on weapons’ development.