US halts military aid to Ukraine amid concerns over low US stockpiles

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US halts military aid to Ukraine amid concerns over low US stockpiles

2025-07-03 02:27 Last Updated At：16:17

The Trump administration has halted some military aid to Ukraine following a review of U.S. stockpiles, the White House and Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement that "the decision was made to put America's interests first following a review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe."

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US halts military aid to Ukraine amid concerns over low US stockpiles

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US halts military aid to Ukraine amid concerns over low US stockpiles

Elbridge Colby, the Defense Department Undersecretary for Policy, said the Pentagon will continue "to provide the president with robust options to continue military aid to Ukraine, consistent with his goal of bringing this tragic war to an end."

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the review of the U.S. munitions stockpile last month.

Some U.S. media outlets are reporting that America's munitions stockpile has been dwindling rapidly as a result of its recent attacks on Yemen's Houthi group, weapons shipments to Israel, and its air strikes on targets in Iran.

The White House and the Pentagon did not disclose the type or the quantity of weapons covered by the suspension of deliveries.

Following the announcement, the interim U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine, John Ginkel, was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa emphasized the importance of continuing the delivery of previously allocated defense packages, especially those for strengthening Ukraine's air defenses, according to an online news report released by the ministry.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the fewer weapons are provided to Ukraine, the sooner the special military operation will end, according to a report on Wednesday. Peskov also said as far as the Russian side understands, the reason for this decision was empty warehouses and a lack of these weapons in the warehouses.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.