United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Force in Play

Struck Iranian air defences on Qeshm Island on Nov. 6 and set up Task Force Iron Gate on Nov. 7 to disrupt overland weapons transfers

President Donald Trump said on Nov. 10 there was a 'good chance' of a deal with Iran and that the US would not launch a new offensive for now. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said sanctions were working so well that major combat operations were unnecessary, though he warned Iran against crossing 'red lines.'

Updated Yesterday

Force in Play

Struck an Iranian air-defense device on Qeshm Island on November 6; offered $20 million for nuclear program information and formed Task Force Iron Gate

The US struck an Iranian air-defense device on Qeshm Island on November 6, and President Donald Trump called the operation 'minor.' Iran said its air defenses destroyed an American MQ-9 drone over the island, while US Central Command described the situation as 'relatively calm.'

Updated 4 days ago

Force in Play

Defending bases under intensified Iranian and proxy attacks eight months into Operation Epic Fury

American intelligence now says Iran has sharply increased efforts to kill US personnel, with the plotting at what the director of national intelligence called "advanced stages." A memo dated October 23 from Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the threat covers the Middle East and other countries.

Updated Oct 24

Force in Play

As of June 2026: Investigating Apache helicopter crash near the Strait while continuing tanker enforcement operations in the Gulf of Oman

On June 8, a US Navy F/A-18 from USS Abraham Lincoln disabled the Palau-flagged tanker Marivex in the Gulf of Oman, the seventh vessel put out of action since April 13. The next day, a US Army Apache went down near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's IRGC Navy claimed a speedboat shot it down; CENTCOM's investigation remains open.

Updated Jun 9

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Leading Operation Epic Fury

Ali Khamenei ruled Iran as supreme leader for 36 years until joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, killed him along with family members and multiple top military and intelligence officials at his Tehran compound. The succession process is now opaque and under fire, with the Assembly of Experts' Qom site damaged, acting leader Ali Larijani facing a power vacuum, and the IRGC interim council trying to preserve control.

Updated May 30

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Consolidating Middle East presence; focused on Syria ISIS operations

The United States returned to Iraq in 2014 after ISIS captured Mosul and threatened Baghdad. On January 17, 2026, American forces completed their withdrawal from federal Iraqi territory, with the Iraqi Army assuming full control of Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province.

Updated May 21