The United States has not moved its THAAD missile defense system from South Korea to the Middle East to support its military operations against Iran, but "munitions" are awaiting transfer there, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said Tuesday.
The general made the remarks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, following speculation that the U.S. military has repositioned or will move USFK assets to the Middle East to back up America's war efforts against the Islamic Republic.
"We've not moved any THAAD systems. So THAAD still remains on the (Korean) peninsula," he said, referring to a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.
"Currently, we are sending munitions forward, and those are sitting right now waiting to move," he added, apparently referring to missile interceptors. He did not elaborate on those munitions.
The Washington Post reported last month that the Pentagon was moving parts of a THAAD system from Korea to the Middle East. The report fueled concerns that the repositioning of the asset could undermine deterrence against advancing North Korean military threats.
