Saving Ammunition for War Against Iran, US Delays Sale of Largest Weapons Package to Taiwan

An American senior military official said Washington is delaying a weapons sale worth $14 billion to Taiwan to conserve ammunition for the war against Iran.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao relayed the new information to members of Congress during a Senate hearing on Thursday, about a week after the sale had become a major focus in talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

‘Right now, we are taking a pause to ensure we have the ammunition needed for Epic Fury – and we have plenty of ammunition,’ Cao told the Senate Defence Appropriations Subcommittee.

‘But we are only making sure we have everything in place, and foreign military sales will proceed when the government deems necessary.’

Cao said that the decision to resume the sale – which would be the largest weapons transfer ever to Taiwan – would be made by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The war has been paused since the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on 8 April. However, both sides have not reached a permanent peace agreement.

Meanwhile, the US Congress had approved a weapons package for Taiwan in January. However, the sale requires Trump’s approval to proceed.

If approved, the sale would exceed the $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan approved by Trump in December.

Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai told reporters on Friday that Taiwan will continue pursuing arms purchases. This according to Taiwan’s FTV News.