TALLINN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said Monday that the United States has paused ammunition deliveries to Estonia until at least the end of the conflict in Iran. If the war drags on, Pevkur warned, Tallinn may need to reconsider its earlier defense procurement decisions.
The move follows a media report that Washington has suspended some weapons shipments to allies. Estonian media outlet ERR said on Tuesday that ammunition for Estonia's HIMARS systems has been most affected.
Following a call with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Pevkur said "We were already aware that the U.S. had put all outgoing ammunition shipments on hold. Rather, our question and discussion with Pete Hegseth concerned what the future prospects might be for resuming ammunition deliveries, and if those deliveries were to remain suspended for a very long time, then what alternative options there might be for increasing defense capabilities with production from the United States."
The minister highlighted that the main concerns involve HIMARS and Javelin missile supplies. The value of delayed deliveries scheduled for this year and next amounts to tens of millions of euros, although exact figures and timelines were not disclosed.
Pevkur indicated the pause is likely to last "months rather than weeks," with shipments expected to resume once the Iran conflict ends. However, prolonged delays could prompt a reassessment of procurement plans.
The Middle East tensions erupted on Feb. 28 following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. The fragile two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, is set to expire Wednesday evening, clouding prospects for fresh negotiations and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions remained elevated in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which about one-fifth of global oil trade passes. ■
