Israel may suffer from same missile shortage as US, giving Iran leverage, fmr. Navy head Marom says

Marom expressed concern that Israel may ultimately have to strike Iran on its own because Washington is unwilling to act while Tehran exploits the delay to advance its nuclear and missile programs.Follow us on GoogleIsraeli soldiers walk near an Israeli Irone Dome defence system (L), a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the MIM-104 Patriot (C), and an anti-ballistic missile the Arrow 3 (R) during Juniper Cobra's joint exercise press briefing at Hatzor Israeli Air Force Basel, on February 25, 2026.(photo credit: GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)By103FMAUGUST 6, 2026 17:32Israel is suffering from a similar interceptor shortage as the United States, former Israeli Navy commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eliezer Marom claimed in a 103FM interview on Wednesday.“When it comes to Arrow missiles, we have fewer than we would like, and production capacity is very limited. As a result, a very large share of the interceptions were carried out by THAAD systems and SM-3 missiles launched from US Navy ships," he said."We're only fighting Iran. What happens tomorrow morning if we have to fight China, should it decide to invade Taiwan? That would be an entirely different war. This issue requires a thorough investigation."Additionally, Marom expressed concern that Israel may ultimately have to strike Iran on its own because Washington is unwilling to act while Tehran exploits the delay to advance its nuclear and missile programs.Marom discusses reports of a severe munitions shortage in the US military.Marom addressed the map of US interests regarding a possible strike on Iran, as well as reports of a severe munitions shortage in the US military.Illustrative image of former commander of the Israeli Navy, V.-Adm. (res.) Eliezer Marom. (credit: (Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS), YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)"What is happening right now is that the Americans really do not want to strike. There are many reasons for that, but the main ones are the shortage of munitions, especially interceptors," he said."The second issue is that Trump's current strategy is to reach the elections at the beginning of November with fuel prices as low as possible."According to Marom, the nuclear issue, the missiles, and Iran’s proxies are all secondary in US President Donald Trump’s eyes, while the Iranians are focused on reaching an understanding over the Strait of Hormuz and dismantling the Abraham Accords."They want to achieve two things… and postponing everything else, race toward a nuclear bomb and a stockpile of ballistic missiles that will be difficult to contend with. A massive American strike on civilian infrastructure in Iran could bring down the regime, and they do not want that to happen, so they are pushing matters to the very edge,” he said."The ones stirring this entire pot are the Qataris, and Qatar has one interest only: that Iran remains stable and strong."Israel must be prepared to strike at any moment, Marom saysMarom also outlined several steps he believes Israel should take under the current circumstances."We need to do several very important things, such as sticking with the negotiations with Lebanon. We must not allow those negotiations to fall apart because they are a thorn in the Iranians' side, and they are under tremendous pressure because of them. We see that Naim Qassem has declared that he is prepared to help the Lebanese Army enter southern Lebanon and push the IDF out, all in order to undermine the negotiations," he said."The second thing is that Israel must be prepared to strike at any moment. If there is no American attack, Iran will cross the red lines. They are racing ahead both in the nuclear sphere and in ballistic missiles. Israel will have no choice but to strike production facilities in Iran, even if it has to do so alone, and that could even lead to a confrontation with the United States."Follow us on Google