Taiwan welcomed the announcement of the sale, calling it "a comprehensive display of America's pledge to provide security to Taiwan."

The IAEA issued a report this month strongly suggesting Iran engaged in coordinated activities aimed at developing a nuclear bomb up until 2003.

The president stands accused of budgeting maneuvers that she says were long accepted practices by previous governments.

The U.S. officials said the fighters were preparing eventually to move toward al-Shadadi, which is located on a strategic network of highways.