Middle East

Military news from the Middle East.

Latest in Middle East

Image: ARABIAN SEA - APRIL 20: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout photo provided by U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. (Handout Photo by the U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

US will help ‘guide’ trapped ships out of the Strait of Hormuz

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 4, 2026

A U.S. Sailor aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), signals the launch of an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft from the flight deck, Nov. 17, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)

Navy tells sailors to ‘beware’ of dating apps, button-up social media amid Iran conflict

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

Image: U.S. Marines fire rifles during a deck shoot aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury, April 2, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Marines seize Iranian cargo ship

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 19, 2026

Joint and combined personnel monitor workstations in the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. The center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week; continuously coordinating, planning, integrating, synchronizing and executing space operations; providing tailored space effects on demand to support combatant commanders; and accomplishing national security objectives. (Composited images are used over the monitors for operational security.)

Iran war demonstrates a ‘combat credible’ Space Force, top guardian says

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 18, 2026

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) sails alongside fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), during a replenishment-at-sea in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 18, 2026. Frank E. Peterson Jr. is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christian Kibler)

What we know about the US military’s blockade of Iran

By Jeff Schogol, Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 13, 2026

An American Navy destroyer sails through the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, 2026.

Two destroyers cross Strait of Hormuz ahead of mine clearance mission

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 11, 2026

U.S. Army MH-60M Black Hawks assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) fly in formation during a helicopter air-to-air refueling exercise above the Southeastern United States, Jan. 23, 2026. Air to air refueling extends a helicopter’s non-stop flight distance, a capability necessary for joint special operations missions far from established airfields and logistical support. These exercises demonstrate the 1 SOW’s ability to project specialized airpower whenever and wherever needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner)

What we know about the commando raid to recover the F-15 crew member in Iran

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 5, 2026

Marine Expeditionary Unit

Here’s what Marine Expeditionary Units are designed to do

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

U.S. Sailors assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 observe an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 31, land on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway during Operation Epic Fury, March 18, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

Troops in Qatar, UAE, 8 other regions now get combat pay for Epic Fury

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

U.S. Army Spc. Jake Amato, an MK48 machine gunner assigned to Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, patrols through a field looking for triggermen in the Alisheng district, Laghman province, Afghanistan, on Sept. 12, 2011. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane, U.S. Army. )

Hegseth says US won’t rule out deploying ‘boots on the ground’ for Iran war

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 31, 2026

U.S. Army Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment and Task Force Bayonet, currently deployed throughout the Horn of Africa, received a combat patch during a battlefield circulation, June 20 – Sept. 11, 2020. Patching is a custom reserved for those serving in a combat zone and Soldiers from the eight elements that comprise the task force were awarded their patches over the span of three weeks. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sirrina Martinez)

Army approves combat patches for soldiers in Iran war zone

By Patty Nieberg, Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 30, 2026

U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a live fire deck shoot aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Philippine Sea, March 16, 2026. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gerardo Mendez)

USS Tripoli, 2,200 Marines arrive in the Middle East

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 28, 2026

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Adrian Ibarra, a rifleman with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M4 carbine during an integrated section attack range at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 31, 2026. The training integrated Light Armored Reconnaissance and Combined Anti-Armor Team vehicle-mounted fires with dismounted maneuver, enhancing the BLT’s ability to execute surface standing missions and tactical recovery of aircraft personnel. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Ibarra is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alora Finigan)

Senator references Iwo Jima while pushing for US to take Kharg Island

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 23, 2026

A U.S. Marine with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, applies camouflage paint before conducting an amphibious assault abroad Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) in the Pacific Ocean, March 2, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting integrated training that enhances lethality and warfighting readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry)

US orders more warships, thousands of Marines to the Middle East

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 21, 2026

An AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter assigned to 1st Attack Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), takes off for a routine mission, July 15, 2024 at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. Army aviation assets are used to support CJTF-OIR’s mission to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. (U.S. Army Photo by Joseph Kumzak)

US Apache helicopters attack Iranian militias in Iraq, Chairman of Joint Chiefs says

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 19, 2026

USS Gerald R. Ford

USS Gerald R. Ford en route to Greece for repairs after fire

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 18, 2026