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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Alastair McCready in Taipei

US arms sales to Taiwan on ‘pause’ due to Iran war, says acting navy chief

A camouflaged military missile launcher system is positioned on grass with city buildings in the background
A US-made Patriot air defence system deployed at a park during military exercises in Taipei in July 2025. Photograph: Ritchie B Tongo/EPA

US arms sales to Taiwan have been “paused” to ensure the US military has enough munitions for its Iran operations, according to Washington’s acting navy secretary, in the latest blow to Taipei after a series of comments by Donald Trump.

When asked at a congressional hearing on Thursday about a $14bn (£10.4bn) weapons package awaiting Trump’s signoff for months, Hung Cao said: “Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury [the Iran war] – which we have plenty.”

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