Mark Esper, who served as Defence Secretary during President Donald Trump's first term, said shortages of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptors were serious and warned that rebuilding stocks would take time. Donald Trump Seeks Face-Saving Iran Exit as Tehran Sets Conditions for Strait of Hormuz Reopening: WSJ. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said he would oppose additional funding while the Iran war continued, but would support replenishing US arsenals once the conflict ended. Republican Senator Jim Banks of Indiana, meanwhile, defended Trump's handling of the Iran war and said the President's legacy would be tied to preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. ‘US, Israel Trying To Turn Persian Gulf Nations Against Us’: Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian Calls for Muslim Unity.