TALLINN, April 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The ongoing war in Iran has put a hold on weapons deliveries to Estonia, which have resulted in potential delays for HIMARS rocket launcher systems, a spokesperson for the defence ministry told AFP on Tuesday.

"The Estonian Ministry of Defence was notified in advance by the Pentagon about potential delays in the delivery of HIMARS munitions," the spokesperson said.

"Estonia continues to be in close contact on all levels with US counterparts on this issue," they added.

On Monday, following a call with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Estonian defence minister Hanno Pevkur said in an interview with the ETV broadcaster that delays would "certainly last longer than weeks, more likely months".

"The initial understanding is that this is on hold for as long as the war in Iran continues," Pevkur said.

However, he added that if the conflict drags on, the country "would certainly have to review (its) decisions," emphasising that the country is "already looking around the world and working on possible alternatives".

According to the Estonian defence ministry, "the US confirmed their commitment to the fulfilment of the orders once the situation in the Middle East concludes".

A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed to AFP that the ammunition delivery delays "do not affect Estonian military aid to Ukraine".

Estonia, formerly occupied by the Soviet Union prior to independence in 1991, has re-upped its defence investments following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is one of NATO's highest spenders in relative terms.