US Arms Sales to Taiwan Unaffected by Iran Conflict

The process of selling US arms to Taiwan is not linked to the conflict with Iran, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The source was responding to remarks by acting US Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, who told a Senate defense spending subcommittee that arms sales to Taiwan had been suspended to ensure the United States had sufficient ammunition for Operation Epic Fury in Iran.

Questions have also been raised after President Donald Trump, following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month, said he was undecided whether to approve the latest arms package for Taiwan, estimated to be worth up to $14bn.

An unnamed source told Reuters that Trump would make a decision soon. "These sales take years to process and are unrelated to Operation Epic Fury. The United States Military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and beyond."

The Taiwanese government said on Friday that it had received no information about delays in US arms sales. China has repeatedly called on the US to halt arms sales to the island, which it considers part of its territory.

(reuters, sak)