U.S. Halts $14 B Taiwan Arms Deal to Preserve Munitions for Iran Conflict

Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate defense subcommittee that Washington has placed a temporary pause on a proposed $14 billion foreign military sale to Taiwan. The pause is intended to ensure sufficient U.S. ammunition and missile stockpiles for “Operation Epic Fury,” the ongoing campaign against Iran, after the United States has expended a large share of its Patriot interceptors and other munitions.

The sale, which would be the largest weapons package ever approved for Taiwan, still requires President Donald Trump’s sign‑off and final decisions by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and State Secretary Marco Rubio. Taiwan’s presidential office said it had received no notice of any change, and analysts warned the delay could fuel anxiety in Taipei and complicate its defence‑budget planning.

President Trump has described the deal as a possible “negotiating chip” in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while China has repeatedly condemned U.S. arms sales to the island. A U.S. source emphasized that arms sales usually take years to process and are not directly linked to the Iran operation, adding that the Pentagon believes its stockpiles remain adequate.

The pause therefore adds uncertainty to U.S. security commitments in the Taiwan Strait and reflects the competing demands of the Iran conflict and broader U.S.–China strategic rivalry.