US postpones joint drills with South Korea amid Iran tensions

The United States has postponed joint marine drills with South Korea as American military resources face competing demands stemming from the escalating situation in the Middle East, according to defence officials familiar with the decision.

The cancellation reflects the strain on US military capabilities as the Pentagon manages force deployments across multiple strategic regions. The exercises, which had been scheduled between the two close allies, were deferred to allow the US military to concentrate resources on Iran-related contingencies.

Despite the setback, officials indicated that the US and South Korea remain engaged in active consultations regarding the resumption of the joint drills. The two nations maintain one of the most robust military partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region, with regular exercises forming a cornerstone of their defence cooperation.

The postponement underscores the challenge facing the US military of sustaining readiness commitments across the Indo-Pacific region while addressing sudden crises elsewhere. South Korea, which hosts approximately 28,000 US troops, has long regarded these joint exercises as essential to maintaining deterrence against North Korea.

No timeline has been announced for rescheduling the cancelled drills.