A Reuters report says the U.S. Army has burned through much of its supply of highly accurate long-range missiles during a five-month war involving Iran. The account, datelined New York and Washington on Aug. 4, points to heavy use of advanced munitions over an extended campaign.

The central issue is the pace at which precision weapons can be consumed in a sustained conflict. Long-range missiles are among the most valuable tools in modern warfare because they can strike distant targets with high accuracy, but they are also difficult and expensive to replace quickly.

If the report is confirmed in fuller detail, it is likely to sharpen questions about U.S. weapons inventories and how prepared the military is for a prolonged fight. A drawdown in these stockpiles can affect planning, deterrence and the ability to respond to other crises at the same time.

The snippet available does not provide a full breakdown of which missile systems were most affected or how soon reserves could be rebuilt. Even so, the reported strain on the U.S. precision missile stockpile underscores the pressure that months of war can place on even the largest military arsenals.