South Korea confirms military talks with the US on potentially redeploying Patriot missile defence systems from the Korean peninsula to the Iran conflict.

SEOUL: South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Friday the US and South Korean militaries are discussing the possible redeployment of some US Patriot missile defence systems based in South Korea to be used in the war against Iran.

Cho was responding to questions at a parliamentary hearing following media reports that units of the US mobile missile interceptor system had been moved to the Osan Air Base in South Korea from other locations in the country.

He said he was unable to comment when asked whether the US plan is to move the Patriot missiles soon for use in the conflict.

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Cho added that Seoul has not received any formal requests from Washington for military help.

US President Donald Trump has previously said he would take any assistance from any country on Iran.

US Forces Korea declined to comment on the reports.

“For operational security reasons, we do not comment on the movement, relocation, or potential repositioning of specific military capabilities or assets,” a statement said.

Media reports citing South Korean government sources said the Patriot systems were being readied for redeployment in the Middle East.

They reported that heavy US military transport planes had flown into Osan to move them.

US and Israeli forces have been striking strategic targets inside Iran for the seventh day.

Trump said the campaign is aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities.

South Korea hosts a major US military presence for combined defence against nuclear-armed North Korea.

This includes about 28,500 troops and surface-to-air defence systems, including the Patriot missile interceptors.

 The Sun Malaysia