U.S. Tomahawk Use Drains Stockpiles as Iran Conflict Deepens

The Financial Times reported that, roughly two weeks into the conflict with Iran, the United States has burned through long-range, precision munitions—including Tomahawk cruise missiles—raising concerns about war costs and depleted inventories. The piece notes that the pace of consumption is faster for Tomahawks than for many other weapons.

Tomahawk missiles are long-range, sea- and ground-launched precision weapons. Each unit costs about $3.6 million, according to the report, which notes that RTX, the maker linked to Raytheon, produces the missile. In the last five years, the U.S. military purchased about 370 Tomahawks, the FT account says.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the United States used an estimated 168 Tomahawks in the first 100 hours after the conflict began. The figure underscores how quickly a modern campaign can draw down stockpiles of a single, high-demand system.

A U.S. defense official cited in the article warned that the ammunition drawdown from this conflict is likely to be felt for years, highlighting the broader strain on annual procurement plans and maintenance of readiness.

Beyond battlefield costs, the conflict has wider economic implications. The strait linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, the Strait of Hormuz, has been described as effectively blocked by Iran in some reports, contributing to a jump in international oil prices above $100 per barrel and a rise in U.S. gasoline prices. The situation adds a layer of urgency for policymakers amid ongoing supply-chain and inflation concerns.

With U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November, public concern over a potential prolonged Middle East engagement has grown, alongside broader worries about the political and economic costs of sustained conflict for American households.

The report also notes that the Pentagon is expected to request up to $50 billion in additional military funding in the coming days. Officials told lawmakers that the first six days of strikes cost about $11.3 billion, a large share of which went toward weapons use, underscoring the financial pressures of ongoing operations.

Analysts highlighted a paradox: expensive interceptors are being expended to down low-cost drones, a dynamic that can strain munitions inventories and production pipelines. There is ongoing concern that production capacity may not keep pace if tensions widen with major powers.

U.S. officials have sought to reassure the public and markets, arguing that ammunition stockpiles and defense inventories remain sufficient to sustain operations as needed. They also stressed a commitment to accelerating domestic defense production and to maintaining deterrence, while signaling continued emphasis on strengthening military capabilities.

For the United States, the episode matters beyond the region because it tests the balance between rapid military deployment, inventory management, and the resilience of U.S. supply chains for munitions. The outcome could influence defense budgets, contractor dynamics, energy-market sensitivity to geopolitical risk, and the political viability of continued heavy involvement in Middle East security issues.