US Seeks to Relocate Patriot Missile System Based in Korea for Use Against Iran

United States (US) and South Korea (ROK) are discussing the possibility of relocating several Patriot missile defence systems stationed in Korea to the Middle East region, to be used in a war against Iran. South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Cho Hyun, revealed this in response to questions in a parliamentary session, as reported by Reuters on Friday (6 March 2026), following media reports that the US missile defence unit had been moved to Osan Air Base from other locations in Korea. Cho said he could not comment when asked whether the US plan is to relocate Patriot missiles for use in the war against Iran. Cho said Seoul has not received any military assistance requests from Washington. US President Donald Trump has said he would accept any assistance from any country related to Iran. In a separate statement, US Forces Korea (USFK) said it could not comment on media reports about relocation of the Patriot missile system. ‘For operational security reasons, we will not comment on movements, relocations, or potential reassignment of capabilities or specific military assets,’ said the USFK statement. Media reports quoting sources in the Seoul government said the Patriot missile system was being prepared for redeployment to the Middle East region, with several jumbo US transport aircraft having flown to Osan to move them. Tensions in the Middle East region have risen further after the US and Israel launched a large-scale joint military operation against Iran since Saturday (28 Feb local time) and continued to present. Trump said this military operation aims to cripple Tehran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile capability. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on targets in Israel and US bases in Gulf states. At least six US soldiers were killed by a drone attack on their bases in Kuwait. South Korea itself hosts a large US military presence in the region, in combined defence against North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons. About 28,500 US troops and a land-sea-air defence system, including Patriot missile defence systems, are stationed in Korea.