Seoul Confirms US Talks on Moving Weapons as Iran War Escalates

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul is in talks with United States Forces Korea about the possible redeployment of weapons including Patriot air defense systems, as Washington’s conflict with Iran escalates.

Cho said the two countries’ military officials were working closely together, confirming that talks were ongoing when questioned by an opposition lawmaker during a parliamentary hearing Friday. The foreign minister declined to provide details, saying the decision on the deployment of weapons and military personnel would be made on a case-by-case basis.

US demand for interceptor missiles and strike munitions has surged following its attack on Iran. Tehran has intensified missile and drone attacks across the region, targeting US interests and partners, prompting Washington to bolster air defenses around key bases and allied states.

US Forces Korea has been moving Patriot missile launchers and interceptors stationed across Korea from multiple bases to Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, the Korean-language DongA newspaper reported Friday, citing South Korean official sources. The number of Patriot batteries at Osan has increased noticeably, the report added, and large US transport aircraft including C-17 and C-5 planes have been deployed to the base.

On Thursday, US Forces Korea reaffirmed its commitment to defending South Korea against the nuclear-armed North.

In 2025, US Patriot missile defense batteries stationed in South Korea were temporarily deployed to the Middle East for “strategic flexibility,” Yonhap news agency reported at the time, before being returned to the Korean Peninsula.

The US stations around 27,000 soldiers in South Korea and has multiple air defense systems located on the peninsula, including Patriot batteries and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.