Iran War Causing Delays in Taiwan Arms Sales? US Secretary of War Denies

Central News Agency (CNA) report from Singapore, May 30. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth refuted claims today at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that the conflict with Iran has led the US to pause a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

The Hill reported that Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao told US Senators last week that the sale was paused to preserve the US's dwindling weapons stockpile.

Hegseth addressed this topic and several other defense issues today at the Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the British think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

He stated that the US is in "very good shape" regarding weapons and that any pause in sales is unrelated to the current conflict with Iran.

Hegseth continued, "Hung Cao is great, but I would never link those two things. I am comfortable with where we are and the production rates going forward."

Hegseth also reiterated that the decision on future arms sales to Taiwan rests with President Trump. He noted that he attended the meeting during Trump's visit to Beijing this month and can confirm that the US position on that matter has not changed. (Translator: Yang Chao-yen)