During the 2026 Iran conflict, known as Operation Epic Fury, the United States deployed significantly more missile interceptors than Israel in defense of Israeli airspace. According to a Washington Post report citing anonymous US officials, the US fired approximately 200 THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) interceptors—about half its total inventory—along with more than 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors launched from Navy ships in the Mediterranean. These efforts were part of a coordinated defense with Israel, which used fewer than 100 Arrow 3 interceptors and around 90 David Sling systems, many directed at shorter-range threats from Yemen and Lebanon.

Despite the successful joint defense, the scale of US interceptor use has raised alarms among allies. Countries like Japan and South Korea, which rely on US missile defense capabilities to counter threats from North Korea and China, are concerned about depleted stockpiles. A March 2026 Pentagon study warned that current production rates are too slow to replenish THAAD and other interceptor inventories in the short term, leaving regional deterrence at risk during future crises.

The conflict also highlighted the deep coordination between US and Israeli forces. Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury involved joint planning at the highest levels, integrating air defenses, fighter aircraft, and counter-drone systems. Still, the imbalance in interceptor use underscores the growing burden on US defense resources, even as it maintains global security commitments.