The US is preparing to invest over $3.5 billion to restore its arsenal following operations connected to Israel, Bloomberg reported. Budget files completed by mid-May and reviewed by Bloomberg show allocations both for replacing interceptors – including at least $1 billion for RTX-produced missiles used against Iranian strikes – and for tasks such as radar upkeep, naval repair work, and munitions transport. Nearly all US-specific expenditures are labeled as "emergency budget requests."

The plan is tied to the 2024 Israeli Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which set aside $14 billion to rebuild US stockpiles and expand Israel's interceptor supply. According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon said these expenses cover missions by US Central Command either responding to "the situation in Israel" or to hostile activity from it, including combat "executed at the request of or in coordination with Israel for the defense of Israeli territory, personnel or assets during attacks by Iran" or allied groups.

The documentation cites US actions during Iran's April 2024 attack, which included more than 110 ballistic missiles, 30-plus cruise missiles, and over 150 drones. Bloomberg noted that the replenishment requests, which date back to late 2023, are distinct from the $4.2 billion in weapons already supplied to Israel from October 2023 through May 2025, as tracked by the Center for International Policy in an Aug. 7 report.

The largest single line item is about $1 billion to replace RTX's Standard Missile interceptors, especially the advanced "SM-3 IB Threat Upgrade" model costing $9 million to $12 million each. These were first launched from US Navy ships during the April 2024 missile barrages. Bloomberg also reported that $1.4 million was requested for a special flight mission that delivered fresh SM-3 IB interceptors to replace expended rounds.

In June, the USS Arleigh Burke and USS The Sullivans fired SM-3s to protect Israel, a US official said. A separate official told Bloomberg that a US Army unit in the area simultaneously deployed THAAD interceptors against Iranian missiles.

The second-largest request is $204 million for Lockheed Martin's THAAD interceptors, which cost about $12.7 million each to produce. Another $9.2 million is sought for delayed maintenance of the THAAD TPY-2 radar, requiring replacement of eight power engines and alternators. Budget files further describe the radar costs as stemming from an "unplanned THAAD deployment" at a new site, in addition to the unit the Pentagon previously confirmed deploying to Israel last October.

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The agency reported on Thursday that, according to Israeli intelligence, Iran failed to relocate enriched uranium from its Fordo Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities prior to the coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States during Operation Rising Lion in June.

The assessment highlights that while the uranium at Isfahan remains potentially accessible, Iran faces significant obstacles in retrieving it under current conditions.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon to address concerns regarding Iran. The Prime Minister's Office stated, "During the visit, Prime Minister Netanyahu held a professional meeting with Secretary Hegseth and his team, addressing key security issues – including countering the Iranian threat, regional security cooperation, and strengthening the strategic ties between Israel and the United States."

The US Department of Defense said, "Secretary Hegseth expressed appreciation for the brave US soldiers who carried out the operation in Iran, which ended the 12-day war and fulfilled President Trump's vision of peace through strength." Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the United States' commitment under President Trump to back Israel and block Iran's path to nuclear weapons.

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The capacity issues have been on the US radar for several months, the official told The Wall Street Journal, prompting Washington to strengthen Israel's defensive posture through ground-based, naval, and aerial systems. The Pentagon has responded to the escalating tensions since June by deploying additional missile defense capabilities throughout the region, though officials now worry about America's own interceptor consumption rates.

"Neither the US nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day," Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told The Wall Street Journal. "The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit and play catch."

Requests for comment from Israel Aerospace Industries, the manufacturer of Arrow interceptors, went unanswered. The Israel Defense Forces provided a statement saying, "The IDF is prepared and ready to handle any scenario. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on matters related to munitions."

After war in Gaza broke out almost two years ago following the Oct. 7 atrocities by Hamas, Israel's air defense capabilities got a boost from the US in the form of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in part because of Iran's attacks on Israel in two separate occasions: following the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, and the strike on an Iranian-linked diplomatic compound in Damascus.

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Washington has long recognized the "pizza index" as a reliable concept, built on straightforward logic – periods of heightened security tension, particularly preceding military operations, require Defense Department personnel to work extended overnight shifts. What sustains these marathon sessions of waiting, strategizing, and monitoring Middle Eastern developments? Pizza, naturally. This index suggests that surging pizza orders at Pentagon-area restaurants during late-night hours signal that "significant developments" are unfolding.

Journalists first observed this pattern during the 1980s amid crises preceding American interventions in Grenada (1983) and Panama (1989), along with the 1986 departure of Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos from Manila. However, Pentagon-area pizzerias achieved international recognition during the Kuwait crisis that precipitated the First Gulf War.

August 1, 1990 – one day before Iraq's Kuwait invasion – witnessed record pizza deliveries to CIA headquarters (though located outside Washington DC, local pizzerias there similarly benefit from security tensions). Throughout the week preceding combat operations, Pentagon nighttime deliveries surged dramatically.

Frank Mix, who operated a Washington-area Domino's franchise, discussed the phenomenon with media outlets during the First Gulf War. "The White House typically ordered 50 pizzas daily. That number jumped to 125," Mix told the Chicago Tribune in February 1991. "The significant increase occurred during late evening hours. Previously, we made no deliveries after nine or ten p.m., but suddenly we needed additional staff for overnight shifts."

Mix reported that Pentagon nighttime deliveries exploded from 3 to 101 orders during the week before hostilities commenced, while wartime daily orders reached 300 pizzas, with deliveries simultaneously increasing to the White House and State Department.

This pattern reemerged during December 1998 throughout President Clinton's impeachment proceedings and the Kosovo conflict. Veteran journalist Wolf Blitzer, then serving as CNN's Pentagon correspondent, captured the phenomenon perfectly – "Bottom line for journalists – always monitor the pizzas."

Extreme Pizza, one of the closest pizza establishments nearby the Pentagon, is experiencing a huge surge in activity.

District Pizza Palace, a bit farther away, is also experiencing a surge in activity.

Both unusual for a Wednesday at around 7:05pm EST pic.twitter.com/kYQP1LQ33h

— Pentagon Pizza Report (@PenPizzaReport) June 11, 2025

Today, users on social media share Google Maps screenshots displaying pizzeria congestion levels, while specialized accounts such as @PenPizzaReport on X monitor traffic at Pentagon-adjacent locations. During Iran's April 13, 2024, attack, users documented exceptional activity at the nearby Papa John's.

Does the "pizza index" indicate approaching conflict with Iran? Recent dramatic developments – including reports that Israel contemplates attacking Iran imminently without American backing, plus Wednesday's emergency evacuation of US embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait – prompted global users to examine pizzeria activity. Current evidence suggests bomber crews remain grounded.

The @PenPizzaReport X account documented typical Pentagon-area pizzeria activity Wednesday night, noting some establishments recorded increased orders while others experienced reduced demand. Either reports of impending strikes were overstated, or the Defense Department has embraced healthier "overnight dining" following 18 months of sustained conflict. Washington, Middle Eastern capitals, and international observers continue monitoring developments.

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The Defense Department's decision to halve the order has not been accompanied by an official explanation, and neither Lockheed Martin nor the Pentagon responded to inquiries from Reuters outside regular business hours.

The report could not be independently verified by Reuters, leaving questions about the rationale behind the reduction unanswered. This development comes as Congress reviews the Pentagon's latest budget priorities, with potential implications for military readiness and defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

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The promotion has generated fierce opposition from legislators across party lines and prominent Jewish advocacy groups, who point to Wilson's documented pattern of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories through her social media accounts.

Wilson has repeatedly targeted the Anti-Defamation League for sharing the historical account of its establishment, which followed the lynching of Leo Frank, an American Jewish man, in the early 1900s. In her posts, Wilson claimed that "Leo Frank raped and murdered a 13-year-old girl" – perpetuating a debunked conspiracy theory that persists today despite overwhelming historical evidence that Frank was falsely convicted and killed due to antisemitic sentiment. Wilson further wrote that "He also tried to frame a black man for his crime. The ADL is despicable." These inflammatory posts remain visible on her social media accounts.

Leo Frank raped & murdered a 13-year-old girl.

He also tried to frame a black man for his crime.

The ADL is despicable. https://t.co/BGfjjxxAUh

— Kingsley Wilson (@KingsleyCortes) March 11, 2023

Wilson has also lauded Confederate General Robert Edward Lee as "one of the greatest Americans who ever lived" and promoted the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory, which falsely accuses Jewish people of orchestrating efforts to "replace" Western populations.

The Pentagon has stood firm behind Wilson's promotion despite mounting criticism. Sean Parnell, the department's chief spokesperson and senior advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, defended the decision on X Friday, stating that "Kingsley's leadership has been integral to the DoD's success & we look forward to her continued service to President Trump!"

The Office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs is announcing that Kingsley Wilson will serve as Press Secretary for the Department of Defense.
Kingsley's leadership has been integral to the DoD's success & we look forward to her continued service to President Trump!…

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD) May 23, 2025

Wilson faced similar controversy when she was initially appointed deputy spokesperson in March. Republican Senator Rick Scott expressed disapproval at the time, saying, "Obviously, I don't agree with the things she wrote. I trust that the Pentagon will address this." Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in Congress, demanded her termination.

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A Pentagon inspector general report released Friday revealed that US military units lacked proper equipment, staffing, and training during Operation Neptune Solace, the humanitarian mission that built a temporary floating pier to deliver aid into Gaza. The Defense Department-led effort was hampered by significant operational challenges that ultimately contributed to equipment damage totaling approximately $31 million and dozens of personnel injuries, according to Stars and Stripes, the US military newspaper.

The report highlighted persistent problems throughout the operation, which ran from March 2024 to July 2024 under former US President Joe Biden, noting "the [Defense Department] repeatedly encountered challenges and inefficiencies during [Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore] operations and exercises, including during Operation Neptune Solace in Gaza." Military watchdogs identified that years of divestment in mission-essential watercraft and a breakdown in joint training between Army and Navy units created severe operational difficulties.

Operation Neptune Solace was established to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza after Israel launched a military campaign following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The initiative aimed to provide critical supplies without placing US troops directly in the conflict zone, but the mission faced numerous setbacks, including severe weather conditions that damaged equipment and contributed to personnel injuries, including one service member fatality.

The inspector general found that "the Army and Navy did not meet service-level standards for equipment and unit readiness to perform JLOTS operations," and identified "low equipment mission-capable rates and low manning and training levels" among the forces deployed. Navy Beach Group One "had to pull together every person they could to sufficiently staff vessels in accordance with Navy requirements," which delayed the deployment of some watercraft critical to the mission.

Despite becoming operational on May 14, 2024, the pier was in service for just two weeks before officials were forced to suspend operations and remove it from shore for repairs due to damage from rough weather. The structure was again removed from Gaza's shore in late June because of unfavorable conditions and was eventually kept at the Israeli port of Ashdod until officials announced the operation's end on July 17.

The Pentagon watchdog highlighted significant equipment readiness issues, with the Navy reporting 27 watercraft and equipment items damaged during the mission. US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, reported 62 injuries among personnel supporting the operation, though investigators couldn't determine whether these occurred on-duty, off-duty, or resulted from pre-existing conditions.

A key finding in the report was that "the Army and Navy did not organize, train, and equip to a common joint standard for JLOTS operations and exercises." This deficiency stemmed partly from the US Transportation Command not establishing joint mission standards and requirements for the services to work together effectively.

Officials from both Army and Navy logistics directorates "expressed concern at the services' divestment of JLOTS capabilities and stated their belief that the DoD's current JLOTS capabilities were not sufficient to meet projected needs," according to the report. The inspector general recommended that both services review their watercraft units to determine necessary improvements in force structure, training, and equipment maintenance, while also recommending that TRANSCOM develop a comprehensive plan to meet its JLOTS responsibilities.

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The Pentagon has dismissed claims that mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey are being launched from an Iranian "mothership" off the East Coast, according to the BBC, as dozens of unexplained aerial sightings continue to puzzle authorities across the state.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh firmly rejected allegations made by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) who had claimed on Fox News that the drones were tied to Iranian operations.

"There is no truth to that," Singh told reporters Wednesday. "There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States."

The Pentagon's initial assessment indicates "these are not drones coming from a foreign entity or adversary," Singh added.

The statement comes amid growing concerns over numerous drone sightings across New Jersey since November 18, with Governor Phil Murphy reporting 49 sightings on Sunday alone. Some of these aircraft have been spotted near sensitive locations, including the Picatinny Arsenal military research facility and former President Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster.

During a congressional hearing Tuesday, FBI Assistant Director Robert Wheeler Jr. acknowledged the ongoing investigation but could not identify those responsible. "I don't have an answer of who's responsible," Wheeler said. "But we're actively investigating."

However, New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia challenged the Pentagon's position following her briefing with the Department of Homeland Security. "To state that there is no known or credible threat is incredibly misleading," she said.

According to Fantasia, the drones appear sophisticated, measuring up to 6 feet in diameter, operating with lights off and showing coordinated movement patterns. She noted they seem capable of evading traditional detection methods such as helicopter and radio tracking.

The New Jersey incidents follow recent drone sightings over US military installations in the United Kingdom, where unidentified aircraft were reported over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.

While Murphy has emphasized that the drones do not appear to pose a public safety concern, authorities continue their investigation into the source and purpose of these unexplained aerial activities.

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Allegedly leaked documents on the social media platform X, attributed to the Pentagon, provide a rare glimpse into Israel's preparations for a potential military operation against Iran. Dated October 16, 2024, the documents detail heightened Israeli Air Force activity, likely in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack earlier this month.

According to the documents, the Israeli Air Force has recently conducted significant drills and "rehearsals", with activities dealing with air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBM), including at least 16 "Golden Horizon" missiles and 40 "Rocks" or ISO2 missiles. The documents also mention "covert drone activity" and extensive deployment drills.

At the Ramat David and Ramon Air Force bases, located in Israel, there was activity related to air-to-surface missiles (ASM). One document states: "On October 15, the Israeli Air Force handled what is likely an unidentified ASM at Ramat David Airbase. One unidentified ASM was in front of a hardened aircraft bunker, typically associated with precision-guided munitions."

An analysis by the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) assesses that the activity is "almost certainly" preparation for an attack on Iran. The document also notes that Israel "likely" conducted an aerial refueling exercise on October 16, highlighting Israel's apparent capability to use drones for intelligence gathering in Iran and "across the region."

Importantly, the documents emphasize that no signs of intent to use nuclear weapons were observed. Furthermore, no activity related to the Jericho 2 missiles was noted on October 16, although it was mentioned that on October 1 - the day of the Iranian missile attack - these missiles were used by Israel, likely for defensive purposes.

Experts suggest that the leak might be intentional from the Pentagon, possibly to demonstrate control over information and influence public discourse in the US and Israel. It could also aim to counter criticism from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party toward the Biden administration, showing that the US maintains leverage over Israel.

It is worth noting that while the documents appear authentic, they have not been officially verified, and the information should be treated with appropriate caution. Nevertheless, the detailed and technical nature of their contents gives them additional credibility, and has sparked significant interest within the international intelligence and security community.

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