The United States has not moved a key missile defence system out of South Korea, a US military official has said according to AFP, following reports that Washington was shifting parts of it to the Middle East.

The Washington Post reported last month, citing unnamed officials, that the United States was moving parts of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system out of South Korea for use in its war with Iran.

The commander of the US forces in South Korea says Washington has “not moved any THAAD systems” out of the country.

“THAAD still remains on the peninsula currently,” Xavier Brunson said at a US Senate committee hearing in Washington, adding that he expects the system to remain in place.

“We are sending munitions forward (to the Middle East), and those are sitting right now waiting to move,” Brunson said without providing further details.