After Waging War on Iran, Will the US Be Able to Defend Taiwan if China Attacks?

Concerns are mounting among Americans that the current war against Iran is draining US weapon stockpiles. These worries have reached a level that could impact Washington’s ability to execute its defence plans for Taiwan in the event of a conflict with China, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper states that the United States has expended large quantities of advanced ammunition since the war against Iran began on 28 February. This includes an estimated use of more than a thousand long-range Tomahawk missiles, plus between 1,500 and 2,000 advanced air defence missiles, including THAAD, Patriot, and Standard systems. Officials warn that replenishing these stockpiles may take up to six years, triggering increasing concerns within the US administration regarding short-term readiness. The Wall Street Journal report indicates that this depletion has triggered internal debates about the need to adjust military plans, particularly those related to Taiwan’s defence. Although the Pentagon has developed various scenarios to address global challenges, some officials acknowledge that an impending conflict with China could expose ammunition shortages, which may heighten the risks faced by US forces.