CENTCOM

Brother, sister charged after explosive device found at CENTCOM base in Florida

The improvised explosive device was placed at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, which is home to the United States Special Operations Command and the US Central Command.

|ByJAMES GENN
A sign for MacDill Air Force Base is displayed on a concrete wall near the main gate along South Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, Florida, US March 18, 2026.
Members of the US 82nd Airborne Division participate in a joint military training with Polish 18th Mechanized Division in Nowa Deba, Poland, April 8, 2022

US deploys 82nd Airborne Division as Trump warns Iran to pursue diplomacy or face force

At the center of Trump's buildup is the 82nd Airborne Division and two amphibious ready groups, a move that experts suggest is aimed directly at Iranian strategic interests.

|ByAMICHAI STEIN
A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, February 25, 2026. 2026

Iran fortifying Kharg Island in preparation for potential US attack - report

US officials and military experts have warned of the significant risks that a US ground invasion of Kharg Island, Iran's primary hub for oil exports, would pose.

|ByARIELLA ROITMAN
A still image released by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which accompanied a press release describing the operation dubbed "Epic Fury", an attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, shows a rocket launch from a ship, in this picture obtained from social media released on February 28, 2026.

US strikes 10,000th target in Iran during Operation Epic Fury, CENTCOM announces

In a video posted on X/Twitter, Cooper stated that the US had struck its 10,000th target "just hours ago," adding that the total was even more impressive when combined with targets struck by Israel.

|ByTZVI JASPER

After mediators sway US, Iran's Araghchi says nuclear talks set for Friday in Oman

Arab mediators convinced the US to drop the demand that talks with Iran on Friday go beyond nuclear discussions. Nevertheless, the American position on the matter is unchanged, and gaps remain.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ, AMICHAI STEIN
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is shown at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, US, August 11, 2025

US warns IRGC against 'escalatory behavior' in international waters

CENTCOM's statement, while acknowledging "Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters," warned against any unsafe or threatening behaviors during the exercise.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sails alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

US changes Gaza Civil-Military Coordination Center leadership as Trump pursues stage II of plan

The top military officer at the CMCC is expected to be replaced by a commander of lower rank, while the top civilian has returned has returned to his job as US ambassador to Yemen.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByREUTERS
US AND Israeli soldiers convene at the Civil Military Coordination Centre, the US-led centre overseeing the implementation of President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel November 17, 2025.

CENTCOM announces air force readiness exercise amid growing Iran tensions

Although CENTCOM said that the "exercise is designed to enhance asset and personnel dispersal capability," military parties have used such drills in the past as cover for launching a surprise attack.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
A US Airman attaches a GBU-31 munitions system to an F-15E Strike Eagle in the US Central Command area of responsibility, December 19, 2025, in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike as the US military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria.

CENTCOM, IDF chiefs meet in shadow of possible Iran conflict, await Trump's final decision

The IDF announced on Sunday that the two had met on Saturday, showing "the personal connection between the commanders, and the tight strategic connection between the IDF and the US military."

JANUARY 25, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
CENTCOM's Adm. Brad Cooper meets with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on January 24, 2026.

Trump envoys Kushner, Witkoff meet Netanyahu to discuss Gaza, Iran

Senior US officials said ahead of the meeting that Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Israel to meet with Netanyahu in order to review the key issues related to Gaza.

JANUARY 24, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrive before President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are slated to speak at the White House in September 2025.

US to complete transfer of Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq in coming days, official says

The US military is transferring up to 7,000 ISIS detainees from Syrian prisons to Iraq, focusing on high-risk fighters amid growing security concerns following recent prison escapes.

JANUARY 23, 2026ByREUTERS
Children and women, relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists, walk inside Al-Hol camp in the desert region of Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province on January 21, 2026; illustrative.

Trump's Iran strategy: US prepares decisive action as tensions rise in the Middle East

US President Donald Trump is keeping "all options on the table" while US forces assemble in the Middle East.

JANUARY 22, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN
U.S. President Donald Trump walks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.

CENTCOM says up to 7,000 ISIS detainees could be moved to Iraq from Syria

"Ultimately, up to 7,000 ISIS detainees could be transferred from Syria to Iraqi-controlled facilities," CENTCOM said.

JANUARY 21, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
U.S. soldiers attached to the Iowa National Guard sign GBU-31 munitions systems in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Dec. 18, 2025 as the U.S. military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria in retaliation for an attack on U.S. personnel.

US withdraws from Iraq’s Ain al-Asad Airbase, maintains presence in Kurdistan region

An initial plan for US withdrawal from the base stipulated that hundreds of troops would leave by September 2025, with the rest departing by the end of 2026.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Military vehicles of US soldiers are seen at the al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq, January 13, 2020.