US pauses Taiwan arms sale over Iran war, US navy secretary says
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- The US has reportedly paused a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to preserve munitions for its war with Iran.
- Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the move is aimed at maintaining supplies for Operation “Epic Fury.”
The United States has put a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan on hold as Washington prioritizes weapons supplies for its ongoing war with Iran.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate hearing that the pause was necessary to preserve munitions for Operation “Epic Fury,” the US military campaign linked to the conflict with Iran.
“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao said.
The reported decision comes weeks after Taiwan’s arms package was discussed during talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The discussions marked a notable shift from Washington’s previous stance that arms sales to Taiwan were not subject to consultation with Beijing. The pause could raise concerns in Taipei over delays to key defense deliveries as tensions continue across the Taiwan Strait.
