The United States is relocating parts of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system from South Korea to the Middle East, according to officials cited by the Washington Post and South Korean media. The move comes amid intensifying strikes between Israel and Iran, and follows reports that an Iranian attack destroyed a key radar linked to the system in Jordan. Analysts say the redeployment may reflect mounting pressure on American missile defence resources as Iran continues launching large numbers of ballistic missiles and drones.

First installed in South Korea in 2017 to counter threats from North Korea, the system has long been controversial. Many South Koreans protested its deployment, arguing it made the country a bigger target, while China claimed its powerful radar could monitor deep into Chinese territory and undermine its security. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung publicly acknowledged Seoul's opposition to the partial withdrawal, though he said it would not weaken the country's deterrence.

Experts suggest the move signals that American missile defence capabilities are being stretched by the expanding conflict in the Middle East. While China has reiterated its opposition to the system's presence in South Korea, observers say Beijing is unlikely to view the shift as a lasting victory unless the removal becomes permanent. Analysts also warn that a prolonged war with Iran could strain American resources and complicate responses to potential crises elsewhere, including on the Korean Peninsula.