South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said U.S. and South Korean militaries are discussing whether some U.S.-owned Patriot air-defence batteries based in South Korea could be redeployed for operations against Iran. Cho spoke at a parliamentary hearing after reports that Patriot units were moved to Osan Air Base, but he said Seoul has not received a formal request from Washington. U.S. Forces Korea declined to confirm movements for operational security. The potential transfers come amid an intensified U.S.-led campaign targeting Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities.
South Korea Says US, Seoul Discuss Redeploying Patriot Missiles for Iran Conflict
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun attends the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS), as part of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Friday that U.S. and South Korean militaries are discussing the possible redeployment of some U.S.-owned Patriot air-defence systems currently based in South Korea for use in operations against Iran.
Cho made the remarks at a parliamentary hearing after media reports that units of the U.S. mobile missile-interceptor system had been moved to Osan Air Base from other locations in the country. He said he could not comment on whether those systems would be sent to the Middle East soon and confirmed that Seoul has not received any formal request from Washington for military assistance.
Official Responses
U.S. Forces Korea declined to confirm the reported movements, saying:
"For operational security reasons, we do not comment on the movement, relocation, or potential repositioning of specific military capabilities or assets."
Media reports citing South Korean government sources say Patriot batteries were being prepared for redeployment to the Middle East and that heavy U.S. transport aircraft flew into Osan to move them.
Context And Significance
The possible redeployment comes amid an intensified campaign by U.S. and allied forces against Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would accept assistance from other countries in operations related to Iran, and U.S. officials have described recent strikes as aimed at degrading Iran's nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile capabilities.
South Korea hosts a substantial U.S. military presence—about 28,500 troops—and several surface-to-air defence systems, including Patriot interceptors, as part of combined deterrence against North Korea. Any decision to move air-defence assets would underscore the global reach of U.S. military logistics and the diplomatic sensitivities faced by partner nations.
Reporting by Jack Kim and Heejin Kim; Editing by Ed Davies.
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