US President Donald Trump
United States (US) has moved to reinforce its military capacity amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, announcing fresh agreements with major defence contractors to ramp up missile production.
The US Department of Defense disclosed on Wednesday that the deals are aimed at replenishing stockpiles depleted by sustained operations in the region, particularly as American forces and their allies continue to counter Iranian retaliatory strikes.
According to the Pentagon, increased use of interceptor systems by the US, Israel, and Gulf partners has placed pressure on existing reserves.
In response, defence giants Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems have committed to significantly expanding output of critical components for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
The Department of Defense said the arrangement effectively places the “industrial base on a wartime footing,” underscoring the urgency of the buildup. Lockheed Martin had earlier indicated plans to scale THAAD production from roughly 100 to about 400 units annually over the coming years.
In a separate agreement, the Pentagon also directed Lockheed Martin to speed up manufacturing of Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), a newer class of tactical ballistic weapons recently deployed against Iran.
The company confirmed it would quadruple production, building on an earlier $4.94 billion contract awarded by the US Army.
Additionally, Honeywell Aerospace has been tasked with increasing output of “critical components for America’s munitions stockpile,” including advanced navigation systems, further strengthening supply chains.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear to be faltering as Iran reportedly rejected a US-backed proposal aimed at ending the war.
Iranian state media, quoting an unnamed senior official, indicated that Tehran dismissed the initiative and intends to set its own terms for any ceasefire. “Iran has responded negatively to an American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing imposed war,” the official said.
The source added, “The end of the war will occur when Iran decides it should end, not when Trump envisions its conclusion.”
While there has been no formal statement from Tehran, reports suggest Iranian authorities have outlined their own conditions for peace. These include an end to what they describe as “aggression and assassinations,” guarantees against renewed attacks by the US or Israel, and compensation for war-related damage.
Additional demands reportedly cover a halt to hostilities across regional fronts, including actions involving allied groups, as well as international recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
