South Korean foreign minister Cho Hyun said on Friday the US and South Korean militaries are discussing the possible redeployment of some US Patriot missile defence systems based in South Korea to be used in the war against Iran.

Koo, speaking to reporters at parliament, said if any of their US-made weapons were to be redeployed, that would only happen if the US side made a request. Were that to happen, the US would be responsible for transporting them, he added.

“But so far, because of the US–Iran war, they have not approached us about making use of any of our related equipment,” Koo said. The United States is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and Taiwan has Patriot missiles in its arsenal.

Democratically governed Taiwan is facing increased military pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

Media reports citing South Korean government sources said the Patriot systems were being readied for redeployment in the Middle East, with heavy US military transport planes having flown into Osan to move them.