U.S. Central Command

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C stealth fighter prepares to take off from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea. @U_S_CENTCOM

A U.S. Army paratrooper conducts marksmanship training while deployed to the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II provides fuel for several A-10C attack aircraft. Aerial refueling allows aircraft to operate for extended periods of time. @U_S_CENTCOM

The start of July marks the end of a busy and successful first six months in 2026 at CENTCOM. @U_S_CENTCOM

CENTCOM Leads Regional Security Dialogue with 12 Nations in Bahrain MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) led a regional security dialogue hosted by the Bahrain Defense Force, July 1, for regional defense leaders from 12 nations. Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, and senior military officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen discussed the current regional security environment and opportunities for enhancing defense collaboration across the region. Leaders underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. “We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our regional partners,” said Cooper. “The discussions underscored our shared commitment to regional security and stability.” The United States and regional partners operate the world’s most sophisticated and largest active air and missile defense umbrella across the Middle East. In January, CENTCOM and regional countries established a new Middle Eastern Air Defense coordination cell for sharing information and threat warnings as well as responding to contingencies. The security dialogue marked the first time military leaders from Syria and Lebanon participated in a regional defense conference led by the United States. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Army air defense artillerymen inspect ammunition in a Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) system in the Middle East. C-RAM is designed to detect and destroy incoming projectiles and drones. @U_S_CENTCOM

USS Boxer (LHD 4) and USS Portland (LPD 27) sail in formation while transiting the Indian Ocean, June 30, 2026. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently operating in the Middle East as part of a scheduled deployment. The Boxer ARG includes USS Comstock (LSD 45), which arrived in the region in early May. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Sailors maintain an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Sea. @U_S_CENTCOM

This month, CENTCOM welcomed Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank as its new deputy commander. He arrived after successfully completing a historic tour as ARCENT's Commanding General. Frank was the longest-serving commander in ARCENT history from July 2022 to June 2026. @U_S_CENTCOM

During an ongoing trip to the Middle East, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, engaged senior civilian and military leaders in Israel and Lebanon. While in Lebanon, Cooper and his staff met with President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Armed Forces Commanding General Rodolphe Haykal. The leaders discussed the path forward in implementing a historic framework agreement signed in Washington, D.C., on Friday. In Israel, Cooper also visited deployed U.S. troops and recognized exceptional performers for outstanding mission contributions. More than 50,000 American service members are currently operating across the region – remaining vigilant and ready. @U_S_CENTCOM

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet patrols the skies over the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

A U.S. Army paratrooper conducts small arms training in the Middle East. This training keeps Soldiers combat ready by improving weapons proficiency and accuracy. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes tonight on 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz for Iran's drone attack on M/T Kiku. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Forces Conduct Additional Strikes After Iran’s Latest Commercial Ship Attack TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted additional strikes against multiple targets in Iran, June 27, at the Commander in Chief’s direction. After yesterday’s U.S. strikes in response to the Iranian attack on M/V Ever Lovely, Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that hit M/T Kiku this morning at 4:30 a.m. ET. The Panama-flagged tanker was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz with more than two-million barrels of crude oil. CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping. U.S. military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities. Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Sailors prepare an E-2D Hawkeye for flight aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Strikes Iran in Response to Attack on Commercial Vessel TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes against Iran, June 26, as a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack. The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor. CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait. The U.S. military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Sailors conduct nighttime operations aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) while sailing the Arabian Sea. @U_S_CENTCOM

F-16 fighter jets fly over the Middle East during a patrol. U.S. forces remain present and vigilant throughout the region. @U_S_CENTCOM