Washington, Aug. 1 -- A top American military commander stationed in Europe has cautioned the Pentagon that Washington may soon confront hard decisions on missile defence resources as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues to place heavy pressure on American military stockpiles.

The development was reported by The Washington Post, which noted that the chief of US European Command, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, informed Pentagon officials earlier this week that the United States lacks adequate naval assets to continue intercepting Iranian ballistic missile strikes on Israel.

The account emerges against a backdrop of mounting concerns about the depletion of advanced US interceptor missiles after months of military activity in the Middle East....