US Used Many Weapons in Iran War. Can It Help Taiwan?

Apr 24, 2026, 12:29

Introduction

The United States used many weapons in its war with Iran. The war started on February 28. Now some people worry the US does not have enough weapons to help Taiwan. But US officials say the worry is not true.

Main Body

The US military fired more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles. It also fired 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles. It fired about 1,100 JASSM-ER stealth cruise missiles. It also used 1,500 to 2,000 other important air-defense weapons. The total cost of the war was between 25 and 35 billion dollars. In the first two days, the US used 5.6 billion dollars of weapons. Some officials say it will take up to six years to make new weapons. But Admiral Samuel Paparo said big companies can make more weapons in one to two years. A report said the US used 27% of its Tomahawk missiles. It used two-thirds of its Patriot missiles. It used over 80% of its Thaad missiles. An expert said it will take years to rebuild. Some US officials think the US cannot fully help Taiwan now. Other officials think the US can. Admiral Paparo told Congress he sees no problem. The White House press secretary said the story is false. The Pentagon spokesman said the US has many weapons. The US follows a One China policy. It did not promise to defend Taiwan. US intelligence says China will not attack Taiwan before 2027. China wants to unite with Taiwan by 2049. Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet President Trump next month. China has over 600 nuclear weapons. It has many ships and soldiers. A war over Taiwan would be very costly. The US moved some air-defense equipment from the Pacific to the Middle East. It moved radars from South Korea. But Thaad systems stayed in Korea. The US government wants 350 billion dollars for new weapons in 2027. It asked companies RTX and Lockheed Martin to make more weapons. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants to change how the US buys weapons. Congress did not give more money yet. Officials say they cannot pay companies to make new weapons.

Conclusion

The war with Iran used many US weapons. People have different ideas about US readiness for Taiwan. US officials say the US has enough weapons. Other people say it will take years and more money to make new weapons.

Vocabulary Learning

enough
As much as needed足夠
Example:We have enough food.
help
To do something for someone幫助
Example:Can you help me?
make
To create or produce something製造
Example:I will make a cake.
money
Coins or paper used to buy things錢
Example:I need money for the bus.
war
Fighting between countries or groups戰爭
Example:The war was very bad.

Sentence Learning

The United States used many weapons in its war with Iran.
This sentence uses the past tense verb "used" to describe an action that happened. The subject is "The United States", and the object is "many weapons". The phrase "in its war with Iran" tells where the weapons were used.本句使用過去式動詞「used」描述已發生的動作。主語是「The United States」，賓語是「many weapons」。介詞短語「in its war with Iran」說明武器使用的場合。
The war started on February 28.
This sentence uses the past tense verb "started" to say when the war began. The subject is "The war", and "on February 28" is a time phrase.本句使用過去式動詞「started」說明戰爭開始的時間。主語是「The war」，時間短語「on February 28」表示具體日期。
The US military fired more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
This sentence uses the past tense verb "fired" to describe an action. The subject is "The US military", and the object is "more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles". "More than" means over that number.本句使用過去式動詞「fired」描述一個動作。主語是「The US military」，賓語是「more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles」。「More than」表示超過該數量。
Some officials say it will take up to six years to make new weapons.
This sentence uses the present tense verb "say" to report what officials think. The clause "it will take up to six years" uses future tense "will take". "Up to" means a maximum of.本句使用現在式動詞「say」轉述官員的看法。從句「it will take up to six years」使用未來式「will take」。「Up to」表示最多。
US officials say the US has enough weapons.
This sentence uses the present tense verb "say" to report a statement. The clause "the US has enough weapons" uses present tense "has" to describe a current situation.本句使用現在式動詞「say」轉述一項陳述。從句「the US has enough weapons」使用現在式「has」描述當前情況。