‘Makes no sense’: experts doubt pause in US arms sale to Taiwan is due to Iran war
Experts are skeptical about the Trump administration's reasoning for pausing arms sales to Taiwan, suggesting it is unrelated to the ongoing conflict in Iran. They argue that the lengthy process for the $14 billion arms package means any connection to the Iran war is unlikely. Concerns have also been raised regarding the implications of using arms sales as a negotiating tool with China.
- ▪Experts doubt the pause in arms sales to Taiwan is connected to the Iran war.
- ▪The $14 billion arms package could take up to six years to process before delivery.
- ▪Comments from US officials have raised concerns about Washington's commitment to Taiwan.
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| Original publisher | World news | The Guardian |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/27/us-arms-sales-to-taiwan-pause-unlikely-due-to-iran-war-experts |
| Publication time | Wed, 27 May 2026 01:24:14 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-27T01:37:56.159Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-27T02:52:53.195Z |
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Experts have questioned the Trump administration’s justification for pausing weapons sales to Taiwan, saying the transfers are unconnected to the Iran war. Photograph: I-Hwa Cheng/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenExperts have questioned the Trump administration’s justification for pausing weapons sales to Taiwan, saying the transfers are unconnected to the Iran war. Photograph: I-Hwa Cheng/AFP/Getty ImagesTaiwan‘Makes no sense’: experts doubt pause in US arms sale to Taiwan is due to Iran warWhile approval is due soon for $14bn deal, actual deliveries to Taiwan are years away – making ‘Operation Epic Fury’ in the Gulf an unlikely causeAlastair McCready and Yu-chen Li in Taipei Tue 26 May 2026 21.24 EDTLast modified on Tue 26 May 2026 21.25 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe…
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