Osan: U.S. troops stationed in South Korea have relocated Patriot missile defense batteries to Osan Air Base from other U.S. bases, sources said Friday, amid speculation that the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) could deploy part of its assets to the Middle East amid the escalating Iran conflict.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Patriot missile system, along with C-5 and C-17 U.S. transport aircraft, has been detected at the air base in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul. The move occurred amid speculation that the USFK may send part of its military assets to the Middle East amid the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.

However, it remains uncertain whether the relocation of the Patriot missile batteries to Osan Air Base is related to the allies' annual springtime Freedom Shield exercise set for March 9-19. Two Patriot batteries were previously deployed to the Middle East in June last year as Washington carried out major operations targeting Tehran's nuclear facilities before they were returned to South Korea in October.

The Patriot missile system is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at low- to mid-range altitudes and serves as part of South Korea's layered missile defense network, along with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, to counter North Korean threats.