Amid escalating military operations in the Iran conflict, concerns have emerged in Taiwan regarding the potential weakening of U.S. military deterrence against China. The Financial Times reported that as the U.S. uses a significant amount of its strategic weapons, such as long-range cruise missiles and Tomahawk missiles during the conflict, Taiwanese military officials are increasingly worried about their ability to deter China from a potential aggression. A senior official from the Taiwanese military voiced that the substantial depletion of munitions necessary to thwart an attack from China is their primary concern, stating, 'This undermines our deterrence.'

China, which adheres to a principle of 'One China', maintains that it could respond militarily to any attempts by Taiwan to declare independence. The U.S. remains strategically ambiguous regarding its potential involvement in a China-Taiwan conflict while also reinforcing Taiwan’s defense capabilities through arms sales. The military support is intended to maintain deterrence against Chinese aggression, yet the significant current consumption of U.S. military supplies raises flags about future readiness for possible contingencies in the Taiwan Strait.

Experts highlight that the scale of engagement in the U.S.-Iran war may not only affect military preparedness in Taiwan but could also increase risks in other regions. A researcher from the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that while the complete exhaustion of missile stockpiles seems unlikely, crucial missiles may be diverted to the Iran conflict, potentially leading to vulnerabilities in places like Ukraine and the wider Pacific region. This situation poses a dilemma for U.S. military capacities and regional security dynamics, particularly with rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.