The United States will redeploy its Patriot air defense/anti-missile systems from South Korea to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.

The Yonhap news agency reported on this.

According to their sources, the United States and South Korea agreed last month on a plan to temporarily relocate the Patriot PAC-3 batteries, which are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.

The agreement involves the temporary deployment of these air defense systems to the Middle East for several months. It is noted that it was the first known instance of the redeployment of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) to the Middle East.

The American Patriot PAC-3 systems operate alongside South Korea’s air defense systems in a multi-layered air defense system against missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.

This rare step came after last week, when U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth allowed the transfer of at least two Patriot air and missile defense batteries from Asia to the Middle East. Currently, the United States is conducting a military operation against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The movement of the U.S. air defense systems also comes amid growing concerns that Washington may demand Seoul to fund the upkeep of the USFK or reconsider the role of U.S. forces in South Korea.

USFK emphasizes that the temporary deployment of U.S. personnel and equipment from the Republic of Korea is taking place on a rotational basis. They also state that the U.S. will continue to maintain capable forces on the Korean Peninsula to respond to any unforeseen circumstances.

Confrontation with Iran

Ahead of this, The Telegraph reported that Iran had ordered its military to leave Yemen due to ongoing U.S. strikes against the Houthi group.

A senior Iranian official stated that such move was aimed at avoiding direct confrontation with the U.S. in the event of Iranian military casualties. According to him, Tehran is reassessing its strategy of supporting regional allies to focus on immediate threats from the U.S. The primary concern of the Iranian leadership at the moment is “Trump and how to deal with him.”

Prior to this, the United States sent another aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, led by the USS Carl Vinson. The U.S. also deployed additional A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to the region. These could join in strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

The U.S. President warned Tehran about possible bombings and the imposition of secondary sanctions if no compromise is reached regarding Iran’s nuclear program. In response, Iran threatened to attack British military bases in the region if the U.S. strikes its facilities.