US navy chief says $14bn arms sale to Taiwan paused due to Iran war

On Thursday, U.S. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao ​was asked at a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing about future arms sales to Taiwan.

The standoff underscores the challenge facing the Trump administration: strengthening Taiwan's defenses against Beijing's aggression while keeping military communication channels open with China to avoid a broader crisis.

The U.S. is pausing a $14bn arms sale to Taiwan as it diverts munitions to sustain the war against Iran, exposing mounting anxieties over rapidly depleting stockpiles.

The controversy comes as Washington weighs a massive new arms package for Taiwan worth up to $14 billion.