Story perspectives

Trump Invokes Defense Production Act After Iran Conflict Depletes Missiles

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to boost weapons output after the Iran conflict depleted stockpiles.
He signed a June 11 memo authorizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use the Act to fix supply-chain bottlenecks, though Hegseth said there was no crisis.
A Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report said the U.S. used 45% of missiles and half of Patriot and THAAD stocks, creating a four-year gap.

History

Historical Context

In October 1973 President Nixon invoked the Defense Production Act, approving $2.2 billion and launching Operation Nickel Grass, which air-lifted about 22,300 tons of arms to Israel amid the Yom Kippur War and an Arab oil embargo. Over five decades later, on 11 June 2024 President Trump re-activated the same act, tasking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to address missile shortages after Iranian-related depletion, echoing the 1973 emergency mobilization.

1 of 2

Story summary

President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to boost weapons output after the Iran conflict depleted stockpiles.
He signed a June 11 memo authorizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use the Act to fix supply-chain bottlenecks, though Hegseth said there was no crisis.
A Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report said the U.S. used 45% of missiles and half of Patriot and THAAD stocks, creating a four-year gap.

1 / 2