The Pentagon is considering redirecting weapons to the Middle East instead of Ukraine, The Washington Post reports

The U.S. Department of Defense is considering redirecting weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East. This is because the anti-Iran operation is depleting U.S. stockpiles of some key munitions.

This was reported by The Washington Post.

According to the newspaper’s sources, the weapons in question include ammunition for Patriot air defense systems ordered under the PURL program, which provides for the purchase of American weapons for the Ukrainian armed forces using funds from other NATO member states.

The Pentagon said it would ensure that American forces, as well as “the forces of our allies and partners, have everything necessary to conduct military operations and achieve victory,” but declined to provide any further comment. NATO did not answer whether it was aware of any redirection of U.S. equipment, noting only that countries “continue to contribute to PURL, and equipment is constantly arriving in Ukraine.”

Since the start of the anti-Iran operation, European officials have been concerned that Washington is rapidly using up available munitions, and that this rate of fire could delay their own orders and disrupt deliveries to Ukraine of Patriot ammunition under the PURL program.

“The United States is indeed spending munitions very quickly, so questions are now arising about how much more it will continue to supply under the agreement,” European diplomats said on condition of anonymity.

One person familiar with the Pentagon’s audit said that deliveries under PURL will likely continue, but that future batches may not include air defense ammunition, as Washington wants to replenish its own stockpiles in the Middle East.

“The political discussion is about how much to provide to Ukraine. This is a real discussion that is going on right now,” another source said.

Another U.S. official also said that the Defense Department could redirect such deliveries in the event of an urgent military need, but would have to notify members of Congress.