South Korea’s president has said Seoul cannot prevent the United States from moving American military assets out of the country, following reports that artillery and air defence systems are being reassigned to the Middle East as tensions over Iran escalate.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung acknowledged rising concern over the reported transfer of US weapons stationed in South Korea, including artillery batteries and air-defence equipment.

He said his government had voiced its opposition, but admitted there was little Seoul could do to challenge Washington’s decision, according to Yonhap.

Lee also moved to calm fears over national security, insisting the withdrawal of some US equipment would not undermine deterrence against North Korea, which remains the main reason for the continued presence of American forces on the peninsula.

South Korean media have reported that Patriot missile defence batteries were removed from Osan air base and may be heading to US military facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. South Korean officials have not formally confirmed those reports.