A top US military official has announced that Washington is pausing a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to conserve munitions for its war on Iran. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao provided the update during a Senate hearing on Thursday.

Cao told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense that the pause is intended to ensure sufficient munitions for Operation Epic Fury. He stated that the foreign military sales will resume when the administration deems necessary.

The decision to proceed with the sale, which would be the largest ever weapons transfer to Taiwan, will be made by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US Congress approved the package in January, but it requires President Donald Trump's sign-off.

Trump has indicated he may or may not approve the package, suggesting it could be used as a negotiating chip with China. The move breaks with decades of precedent against consulting Beijing on arms sales.

Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai said Friday that Taiwan will continue to pursue arms purchases. However, analysts warn the pause will exacerbate anxiety about US support in Taiwan and complicate defense budget requests.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and objects to US unofficial support for Taipei. Trump has also floated the idea of direct talks with Taiwanese President William Lai, which would break diplomatic protocol and likely provoke Beijing.

Source: www.aljazeera.com