Significant transport activity has been observed at a key U.S. military hub in Asia
South Korea has expressed its opposition to the relocation of U.S. air defense assets from its soil to the Middle East, though it lacks the ability to block the transfer, according to Seoul.
As the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on American assets in the region reach their 12th day, several media outlets have claimed that Gulf countries’ air defense systems are running “dangerously low” on interceptors.
During a Tuesday cabinet meeting, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung addressed reports suggesting that certain U.S. military equipment stationed at Osan Air Base—a major U.S. Air Force facility in the country—might have been moved to American bases in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Media reports indicate that U.S. military transport planes have been arriving at and departing from the base over the past week.
“We have expressed opposition to USFK [US Forces Korea] transferring some air defense weapons according to its own military needs, but it is also the reality that we cannot fully enforce our position,” Lee stated, adding that the transfer would not cause a “serious setback” to Seoul’s deterrence capability.
South Korea hosts a large U.S. military presence as part of a decades-long security pact aimed at deterring nuclear-armed North Korea. Around 28,000 U.S. troops are stationed in the country alongside advanced air defense systems, including Patriot interceptors.
Another U.S. ally, Japan—which hosts major American military bases—has reportedly redeployed two guided-missile destroyers to the Arabian Sea to support U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran.
Junya Ogawa, head of Japan’s main opposition party, reportedly told parliament on Monday that Japan “has not permitted the stationing of US forces so they can sortie from those bases to fire missiles toward the Middle East” when those forces are supposed to be ensuring Japan’s security.
Within hours of the U.S. launching Operation Epic Fury, Iran unleashed retaliatory strikes against American military bases in the Middle East, declaring all of them as “legitimate targets.” Tehran has argued that countries hosting U.S. military assets and facilitating attacks should not act surprised when they become targets, as these actions do not bring more security.