Iran war complicates contingency plans to defend Taiwan, some US officials say
The US has depleted its munitions stockpile due to the conflict with Iran, potentially hindering its ability to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion. Replenishing the stockpiles could take up to six years, sparking discussions about adjusting operational plans.
The US has fired over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles and 1,500-2,000 air-defense missiles since the Iran conflict began on February 28. Replenishing these stockpiles could take up to six years, raising concerns about the US ability to defend Taiwan. The Pentagon plans for multiple scenarios, but a munitions gap could expose troops to increased risk. US officials say there's no sign of a conflict with China on the horizon, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping set to meet with President Trump. Some officials argue that heavy investments in the defense-industrial base could shrink the timeline to replace munitions. The US intelligence community assessed that Beijing is unlikely to launch a war against Taiwan in 2027.
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