A US official suggested a pause in delivering a major weapons package to Taiwan because of the Gulf conflict and the need to ensure munitions for the Iran war. Taipei expressed concern after remarks from the acting navy secretary indicated the package awaiting presidential sign-off had been paused for months. Experts said the Iran-related justification is not credible because any connection would be minimal and delayed. They noted that arms deals under consideration typically take years to process, with congressional notifications, contract signing, and delivery timelines pushing deliveries into the 2030s. Separate comments also raised uncertainty about US support, including the idea of using arms sales as leverage in negotiations with Beijing.
"Right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury [the Iran war]. We're just making sure we have everything, then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary."
"There is a very very low likelihood that there is any true connection between events in Iran and weapons delivery to Taiwan. Hammond-Chambers said, adding that the weapons deals that Trump is considering at the moment don't get delivered for anywhere from three to six years."
"If he sends those congressional notifications by the end of June, you're talking about another six to 12 months before the contract is signed, and then the clock starts on delivery. So we're really into the 2030s [by the time Taiwan's weapons are deli"
"Comments by Washington's acting navy secretary, Hung Cao, at a congressional hearing on Thursday provoked further alarm in Taipei after he suggested that the weapons package awaiting Trump's sign off for months had been paused."
#us-iran-conflict #taiwan-arms-sales #foreign-military-sales #us-china-negotiations #defense-procurement-timelines
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