Washington Temporarily Halts Some Arms Shipments to Taiwan

The United States has temporarily suspended some arms shipments to Taiwan to bolster ammunition stocks needed for possible military operations against Iran, Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hong Kao said. He made the comments during a Senate budget committee session as tensions over Washington’s military support for Taiwan continued to rise with Beijing. Kao said the United States has sold Taiwan certain military products, but has paused shipments for now to ensure the ammunition needed is available. He said the move was intended to strengthen inventory levels for potential operations involving Iran. Kao added that the United States still has sufficient stock, but wants to make sure all required materiel is fully in place. His remarks underscored the competing demands on U.S. weapons supplies as Washington manages commitments in both the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. The comments came at a sensitive moment in U.S.-China relations, with Beijing closely watching American military assistance to Taiwan. The temporary hold adds another point of friction to an already strained strategic relationship.