U.S. Suspends Arms Deliveries to Estonia Due to Iran War

The United States has suspended all arms and ammunition deliveries to Estonia, including HIMARS and Javelin missile supplies. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth informed Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur of the decision during a phone call on April 21, noting that the pause is a result of depleted stockpiles following a 40-day war against Iran. That conflict, which began February 28 and ended with a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8, reportedly consumed at least 45% of U.S. Precision Strike Missiles and roughly half of its THAAD and Patriot interceptors.

Estonian officials warned that the delays, valued at tens of millions of euros, could last for months. Minister Pevkur stated that Tallinn may seek alternative production sources if the suspension persists, though the Estonian Ministry of Defence clarified that these delays do not affect military aid sent to Ukraine.

The U.S. has also notified other Scandinavian and Baltic allies of delivery delays under the Foreign Military Sales program. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo claimed the situation does not impact Finland's defense capabilities, although the Finnish Defense Ministry noted that Washington has not yet confirmed whether Finnish orders are canceled or merely delayed. To replenish its inventory, the Pentagon has entered talks with General Motors and Ford to utilize civilian factories for munitions production.