Pentagon Urges US Defense Industry to Accelerate Arms Production Amid Iran Conflict

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has instructed the American defense industry to speed up the production and supply of weapons and ammunition due to a severe shortage caused by the ongoing conflict with Iran. This directive was revealed in a Pentagon memo obtained by The Washington Post overnight between Saturday and Sunday. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg called on industry leaders to submit work plans within 21 days outlining how they will expand production capacity and implement stricter delivery schedules for military equipment.

The memo comes amid rising tensions over ammunition shortages between President Donald Trump and the Pentagon, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The Washington Post. This move is part of a series of actions taken by the Pentagon and the White House to address the problem, which experts in the defense industry warn may largely remain unresolved until Congress, currently deadlocked, approves additional defense budgets.

On Thursday, President Trump claimed that the US has "massive amounts" of munitions available and posted on Truth Social that "large quantities are being produced and shipped to the US as needed." Feinberg's memo follows White House efforts to mobilize the defense industry to release military funding. Related reports note that Trump postponed a strike on Iran due to concerns about interceptor missile shortages, and that dozens of US aircraft are en route to Israel following the aborted attack.