The American war machine runs on tungsten — and it may be running out, Foreign Policy writes.

The U.S. war against Iran risks depleting limited tungsten reserves.

The barrage of munitions launched by U.S. forces against Iran has clearly demonstrated how heavily the American military machine depends on this critical metal — tungsten.

This metal is known for its exceptional density and the highest melting point of any pure metal. These qualities have made it indispensable to the U.S. defense industry, enabling everything from armor-piercing munitions to missiles.

The United States does not engage in large-scale domestic mining of this mineral, which, in the context of a prolonged conflict, could lead to a rapid depletion of weapons stockpiles that rely on tungsten. Replenishing these reserves in the short term is likely to be extremely difficult.