The United Arab Emirates has asked Korea to accelerate deliveries of Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile batteries to help intercept incoming attacks, officials familiar with the matter said. The request comes as Iranian forces have launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following continued attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. The system, sold to the UAE in recent years as part of Seoul’s expanding defense exports, has been integrated into the country’s broader air defense network. Defense industry sources say Cheongung-II’s strong performance in combat conditions could strengthen its export prospects in the Middle East and beyond, especially if the conflict is prolonged and involved countries move to replenish depleted air defense stockpiles. U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have continued since Saturday, when Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial barrage. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Middle Eastern countries, damaging civilian facilities, including airports and hotels. Korean media, cit