Pence rejects notion that Iran war is leaving Ukraine short on U.S. weapons

Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that U.S. military support for Ukraine is not being compromised by the ongoing Iran conflict, citing assurances from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about drone defense capabilities. The U.S. has expended roughly 80 percent of its THAAD interceptors and about half of its Patriot interceptors since the Iran war started, according to CNN. Pence noted that Zelensky has asked for 5 percent of the remaining U.S. Patriot inventory to prepare for anticipated Russian attacks on energy sites.

The former vice president’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of how the United States balances multiple overseas military commitments. His reference to direct assurances from Ukraine’s leader highlights the diplomatic dimension of weapons allocation, even as public reporting suggests significant depletion of key missile defense systems. The specific mention of Patriot interceptors underscores the strategic importance of air-defense munitions, which have become a central bargaining point in allied support discussions. Without additional details, the statement appears aimed at reassuring allies and domestic audiences that the Iran conflict has not forced a diversion of resources away from Ukraine, though the broader strain on U.S. defense stockpiles remains a subject of ongoing debate.