00:00Concerns are growing in Washington that the administration of Donald Trump could request
00:03American defense contractors to accelerate weapons manufacturing as military operations
00:08involving Iran continue without a publicly announced end date. According to several
00:11individuals familiar with discussions, officials recently briefed members of Congress in a
00:15classified session about the possibility of using the Defense Production Act. The law allows the
00:20federal government to direct private industry to prioritize certain manufacturing during national
00:24emergencies. Invoking it would represent a stronger step beyond the president's public
00:28calls for defense companies to increase production. Speaking to reporters earlier this week,
00:32Trump stated that the United States currently possesses large supplies of certain categories
00:36of ammunition. A White House official later clarified that his reference to middle and
00:39upper ammunition related to the range classifications of the weapons being used.
00:43Trump has also said that defense companies are operating under emergency directives to expand
00:47manufacturing capacity. The president has repeatedly highlighted efforts to strengthen the U.S.
00:52military and has described American munitions as highly capable. Administration officials say
00:56discussions about invoking the Defense Production Act reflect internal concerns about maintaining
01:00sufficient stockpiles if the conflict continues for an extended period. White House press secretary
01:05Caroline Leavitt stated that the U.S. military currently has adequate supplies to achieve the
01:10objectives of the operation known as Operation Epic Fury. She added that the president continues to
01:14encourage defense contractors to speed up the production of American-made weapons. Pentagon chief
01:19spokesperson Sean Parnell echoed those remarks, saying that strengthening American military power has been a key
01:25priority for both Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, reports have emerged about
01:29equipment losses during recent military activity. Data compiled by the Anadolu agency estimated that
01:34roughly $2 billion in U.S. military assets may have been lost since the strikes began. Among the
01:40reported incidents was damage to an early warning radar system at Al-Udayd Air Base after a missile strike
01:45attributed to Iran. The radar system alone has been valued at more than $1 billion.
01:49Officials have not provided a timeline for when the broader military operation could conclude.
01:53Follow verified reporting for continued updates as developments unfold.
Comments