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A source familiar with the matter said U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are not being delayed because of the ongoing conflict with Iran, pushing back against comments from a senior American official that suggested otherwise. The clarification comes as Taiwan continues to wait for approval of a major U.S. weapons package reportedly worth up to $14 billion.
The issue gained attention after acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing that arms sales to Taiwan had been paused to ensure the United States maintained enough munitions for Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran earlier this year.
However, the source said the Taiwan arms package and the Iran conflict are unrelated. According to the source, U.S. military stockpiles remain strong enough to support all of President Donald Trump’s strategic objectives. The person also noted that large-scale arms sales to Taiwan typically require years to process and review before final approval.
Trump recently added uncertainty to the situation after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping this month. Following the meeting, the U.S. president said he had not yet decided whether to approve the proposed Taiwan arms sale. Despite the uncertainty, Washington has maintained that its Taiwan policy remains unchanged.
Under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the United States is legally required to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities. The law has long served as the foundation for military cooperation between Washington and Taipei amid rising tensions with China.
Taiwan’s government said Friday that it had not received any official notice regarding delays in U.S. arms sales. Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to halt weapons sales to Taiwan, claiming the island as part of its territory. Taiwan, meanwhile, continues to reject China’s sovereignty claims and insists that only its people can determine the island’s future.
