Washington, 22 May (H.S.):

The United States has halted arms sales to Taiwan because of the ongoing war with Iran, U.S. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said.

He gave this information in response to a question from senior Republican leader Mitch McConnell. During a Senate hearing, McConnell asked Cao, “We have encouraged Taiwan to buy weapons from the United States. But suddenly, the sales have been stopped. What information are you receiving from Taiwan about this pause?”

According to a CBS News report, Cao replied, “I have not spoken with Taiwanese officials. However, we have sold them weapons. We have paused sales for now to ensure that we have the ammunition needed for ‘Epic Fury.’” He claimed that the United States has sufficient stockpiles of ammunition.

Cao said, “When the Trump administration deems it necessary, weapons sales will resume.” He added that the decision on when sales would restart would rest with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State.

McConnell said in response that this was the most troubling part.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar