Trump orders cut in US-South Korea drills after Seoul rejects Iran denuclearisation push

President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to significantly reduce planned joint military drills with South Korea, citing Seoul's refusal to participate in US efforts to denuclearise Iran. In a social media post, Trump stated that the exercises, set to begin this week, "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he claims has been "unthreatening and respectful" during his term as president.

The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises will involve approximately 18,000 South Korean soldiers and aim to enhance the alliance's readiness against potential threats from North Korea. North Korea had condemned the drills on Friday as a "rehearsal for an aggressive war" and threatened unspecified countermeasures against the US and South Korea.

Trump also welcomed the recently signed defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, praising it as a "big, bold" first step. The trilateral pact, signed at a joint defence summit, seeks to strengthen security cooperation among the three countries, based on their historical ties, shared strategic interests, and longstanding defence cooperation.