CENTCOM

US remains 'hell-bent' on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, says Hegseth

The US defense secretary said Trump would have every military option available, maintained that Washington controls the Strait of Hormuz, and acknowledged that Iran is attempting to rebuild its damag

|ByIDAN KWELLER
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salutes as he delivers his 2026 "State of the Force" address to US junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Virginia, US, September 30, 2026.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt from the bay doors of a V-22 Osprey after taking off during a Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise in waters south of the Hawaiian Islands, U.S., July 13, 2026.

USS Roosevelt, Marines set to deploy to Mideast ahead of midterm elections, US official to 'Post'

The move means that, until the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump will have significantly greater military capabilities and a wider range of options for potential action against Iran.

|ByAMICHAI STEIN, IDAN KWELLER
Supporters of a Shi'ite armed group celebrate the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, ending a military presence that began after the 2003 US-led invasion, in Baghdad, Iraq, September 30, 2026.

As US ends operations in Iraq, Baghdad celebrates its withdrawal and renewed sovereignty - analysis

Baghdad asked the US to return. Now, in a kind of “no good deed goes unpunished” manner, Iraq is celebrating the US leaving after asking the US for help.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
(From L) TURKISH PRESIDENT Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chat after signing a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 7.

Saudi Arabia turns to Israel as Houthi attacks expose limits of the Mecca Pact - opinion

Houthi strikes are pushing Saudi Arabia and Israel toward unprecedented military and intelligence cooperation.

|ByNEVILLE TELLER

CENTCOM completes wave of strikes on Iran in retaliation for targeting of US troops in region

Iran will respond to the US' newest wave of strikes with an attack "several times larger," the semi-official Tasnim news outlet reported on Tuesday night, citing a senior Iranian military source.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM, ESTHER DAVIS
US Sailors conduct night flight operations aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), August 30, 2026.

US strikes two Iranian launchers preparing to reportedly fire sea mines at Strait of Hormuz

Following the airstrikes on Larak, US President Donald Trump posted an AI video to Truth Social, captioned "Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!"

AUGUST 30, 2026ByESTHER DAVIS, AMICHAI STEIN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
US Sailors conduct night flight operations aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), August 30, 2026.

US clears Strait of Hormuz as 50,000 troops maintain blockade of Iran, CENTCOM chief says

Nearly 1500 vessels carrying roughly 750 million barrels of crude oil have transited the strait in the past months, Cooper said, adding that this was done with the protection of US forces.

AUGUST 28, 2026ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER
US forces operating in the Strait of Hormuz, July 17, 2026.

IDF Chief Zamir meets with US Air Force Chief Wilsbach to discuss Iran, regional issues

Their meeting comes as US President Donald Trump shifts from military to economic threats against the regime.

AUGUST 26, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir meets US Air Force Chief Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach at the IDF's Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv, August 23, 2026.

Shin Bet foils terror plot in West Bank as Iran, Oman reach agreement on shares of Hormuz revenue

US imposes sanctions on Palestine action • IDF, US Air Force chiefs meet to discuss Iran • Iran asks Qatar to clarify fate of missing pilots

AUGUST 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
CENTCOM's Adm. Brad Cooper meets with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on January 24, 2026.

CENTCOM establishes multinational drone task force

Falcon Strike aims to integrated unmanned systems not only in the air but also on and below the sea.

AUGUST 25, 2026ByANNA AHRONHEIM
LUCAS drone (illustrative).

USS George Washington arrives in Middle East as USS Abraham Lincoln prepares to sail home - report

This comes a week after US Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded a formal inquiry into the conditions aboard the Lincoln amid reports of low morale, suicide attempts, and supply shortages.

AUGUST 20, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
US Sailors work on the flight deck of USS George Washington, Aug. 20, as the aircraft carrier transits the Arabian Sea.

Gaza mediators condemn Israeli strikes, Iran seeks to strengthen Iraqi ties

Katz: Erdogan dragging Turkey into 'dangerous adventures' in Syria • Experts: Israel avoided 'direct clash' with Turkey by striking Syrian airfield • Iran FM mocks Trump's 'Economic D-Day'

AUGUST 20, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A military helicopter flies above a Syrian flag during the Syria Summer Family Festival in Damascus, Syria, on August 9, 2026.

Trump announces economic warfare against Iran, as Syria denies Israel's claims of Turkish forces

IDF targets Hamas chiefs in Gaza • IDF Gaza Division seals two Hamas tunnels spanning two kilometers along Yellow Line • IDF chief says that Israel will maintain Syria buffer zone

AUGUST 19, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF SOLDIERS operating in the Gaza Strip.

US weighs scaling back Middle East military presence after months of Iranian attacks - report

CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper has been involved in the discussions, one source said, adding that he supports discussing the relocation of Gulf troops westward.

AUGUST 19, 2026ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER
US Navy and US Marine Corps aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are arrayed on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran from an undisclosed location March 10, 2026.