U.S. Navy official says Taiwan arms sales on ‘pause’ over Iran war; Taiwan claims no information from U.S

Key points

• Taiwan’s presidential office said on Friday (May 22, 2026) it had not received any information about ​the U.S. adjusting military sales, after a senior U.S. official suggested there was a pause due to ​the need to have enough arms for ⁠the war with Iran.
• Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has been waiting for the U.S. to approve a new arms sale package which Reuters has reported could be worth up to $14 billion.
• However, U.S. President Donald Trump said following ⁠a summit with China’s Xi Jinping in ⁠Beijing last week that he was undecided on whether to approve it.
• On Thursday (May 21, 2026), U.S. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao was ​asked at a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing about future arms sales to Taiwan.
• “We have done some foreign military sales to them.