Seoul: The United States has decided to cancel its planned military exercises with the South Korean Marine Corps, citing concerns over a potential conflict with Iran. The decision comes amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East and the need for the US to allocate its forces accordingly.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, a spokesperson for the South Korean Marine Corps confirmed the cancellation, attributing it to the limited availability of US forces. This limitation arises from the possible need for troop deployment in the event of a war with Iran. The spokesperson detailed that the US counterpart had communicated in June about the constraints on the number of troops available for the joint division-level Sangyeong exercises.

The cancellation follows President Trump’s unexpected directive to reduce the scope of separate annual joint military drills, which concluded last Friday. The decision was influenced by the high costs associated with these exercises and Seoul’s refusal to engage in any potential conflict with Iran.