Middle East(Page 2)

Latest in Middle East

Israel's air campaign against Iran's missiles and launch systems appears to be having an effect.
News & Features

Israeli Airstrikes Blunt Iranian Long-Range Ballistic Missile Threat (Updated)

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 17, 2025

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, refuels a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft during exercise RAMSTEIN FLAG 2024 while flying over the coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. RAFL24 demonstrates NATO unity and strength, as Allies across the Euro-Atlantic area train side by side in defensive and offensive air operations scenarios in support of the enduring commitment to shared values and ability to adapt to the emerging environment.
Air

U.S. Air Force Fighters Deploy To Reinforce Middle East

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 17, 2025

Spike launcher found in Iran after attacks by Mossad agents.
News & Features

Spike Missiles That Destroyed Air Defenses From Inside Iran Were Remotely Operated

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 16, 2025

28 tankers were sent out over the Atlantic heading east tonight.
Air

Armada Of USAF Tankers Just Deployed East Over Atlantic Spurring Speculation (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 16, 2025

The U.S. Navy is sending the supercarrier USS Nimitz and the rest of its strike group to the Middle East amid a new buildup of forces in the region ostensibly for defensive purposes, U.S. officials have told TWZ.
Air

Major U.S. Middle East-Focused Buildup Confirmed (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 16, 2025

Israel strikes Iranian F-14 tomcat.
Air

Iranian F-14 ‘Persian Tomcats’ Obliterated In Israeli Airstrike

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 16, 2025

The Israeli military claims it has destroyed one third of Iran’s long-range surface-to-surface missile launchers since the start of the conflict. For now, however, Iran is still launching missile strikes against Israel, with overnight attacks having killed at least eight people, according to Israeli sources.
News & Features

One Third Of Iran’s Long-Range Missile Launchers Destroyed, Israel Claims (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 16, 2025

Iran and Israel continue to trade blows late on Saturday and into Sunday. On the Israeli side, the strikes constitute the latest phase of Operation Rising Lion, a campaign designed to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability and long-range weapons capacity. For its part, Tehran continues to launch barrage of retaliatory missile strikes at Israel, with reportedly killed at least 10 people and injured more than 100 overnight.
News & Features

IAF Destroys Iranian Aerial Tanker 1,400 miles From Israel, Farthest Strike Yet (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 15, 2025

Israel is now attacking Iranian energy facilities after warning it would if Iran didn't stop hitting Israeli urban areas.
Air

Israel Escalates To Attacking Iranian Energy Targets After Ballistic Missiles Hit Tel Aviv (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 15, 2025

The threat of Iran attempting to blockade the highly strategic Strait of Hormuz has re-emerged amid the conflict that has now erupted between it and Israel.
News & Features

Could Iran Carry Out Its Threat To Shut Down The Strait Of Hormuz?

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 14, 2025

Dramatic footage is emerging online as Iran has begun launching a huge ballistic missile barrage against Israel as part of its retaliatory strikes.
News & Features

Iran Strikes Back (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 13, 2025

Israeli officials are warning that the strikes that began to be launched against Iran overnight are just the start phase of a wider operation.
Air

Israel’s Operation To Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program Enters New Phase (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 13, 2025

Israel strikes Iran's nuclear program.
Air

Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion To Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program (Updated)

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway, By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 13, 2025

Israel hand commando teams inside Iran attack air defenses
Air

Israeli Commandos Attacked Iranian Air Defenses With Drones From Inside The Country: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 13, 2025

A damning IAEA report and Iran's vow to build new enrichment facilities give Israel additional pretext for an attack on its longtime nemesis.
News & Features

Damning IAEA Report Has Given Israel Additional Pretext To Strike Iran

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 12, 2025

APKWS rockets were kept from Ukraine to be used to defend US in the Middle East.
News & Features

Counter-Drone Weapons Diverted From Ukraine To Middle East Amid Rising Tensions, Hegseth Confirms

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 11, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has been presented with a broad array of potential military options against Iran should ongoing nuclear negotiations with that country fail.
News & Features

Growing Fears of Massive Strikes On Iran As Nuclear Negotiations Sputter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 10, 2025

Russia giving North Korea Shahed 136 production capability.
News & Features

Russia Giving North Korea Shahed-136 Attack Drone Production Capability: Budanov

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 9, 2025

We now have a picture showing a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle down-range in the Middle East with an air-to-air loadout that includes six seven-shot 70mm rocket pods, as well as four AIM-9X and four AIM-120 missiles.
Air

F-15E Armed With Drone Killing Laser-Guided Rockets Appears In Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 30, 2025

Israel has used a new air defense laser to shoot down Hezbollah drones in the current conflict in the Middle East, it has been confirmed. What is described as an adapted version of the Iron Beam system made its combat debut last October and the definitive version should be fielded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later this year, joining an already formidable, layered air defense network.
News & Features

Israel’s Iron Beam Laser Air Defense System Has Downed Enemy Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 29, 2025

F-15s deploy to Diego Garcia to protect B-52s.
Air

F-15s Deploy To Protect Diego Garcia

By Joseph Trevithick, By Tyler Rogoway, By Howard Altman

Updated on May 17, 2025

F-35 was nearly downed by Houthi air defenses.
Air

How The Houthis’ Rickety Air Defenses Threaten Even The F-35

By Joseph Trevithick, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 14, 2025

A U.S. F-35 stealth fighter had to take evasive action to avoid being hit by a Houthi SAM, a U.S. official told The War Zone.
Air

F-35 Had To Maneuver To Evade Houthi Surface-To-Air Missile: U.S. Official

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 14, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump again justified accepting a gifted 747-8 from Qatar to serve as a temporary Air Force One, but can it meet safety and security requirements?
Air

Turning Qatar’s Gifted 747 Into Air Force One Will Be Anything But Free

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 12, 2025

Satellite imagery indicates that there are now 10 U.S. heavy bombers – six stealthy B-2s and four B-52s – on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Air

B-52s Join B-2s On Diego Garcia,10 Bombers Now At Indian Ocean Island

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 8, 2025

Hornet crashed aboard the USS Harry S Truman
Air

Super Hornet Crashes Landing On USS Truman, Its Second F/A-18 Loss In A Week

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 7, 2025

USS Harry Truman Was Evading Houthi Attack When F/A-18 Super Hornet Rolled Off Its Deck
News & Features

USS Harry Truman Was Evading Houthi Attack When F/A-18 Super Hornet Rolled Off Its Deck

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Apr 28, 2025

U.S. carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighters have been shooting down Houthi drones in the course of recent operations over and around the Red Sea, in addition to striking targets in Yemen, according to a U.S. official.
Air

F-35C Naval Joint Strike Fighters Have Been Shooting Down Houthi Drones

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 25, 2025

Wreckage of a GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), has appeared in Yemen. The weapon, which was only recently confirmed as being used in combat, offers some notably advanced capabilities, especially over the GBU-39/B SDB I, and the technological risk of the remains of the still relatively intact weapon falling into an adversary’s hands are not insignificant.
Air

StormBreaker Advanced Glide Bomb Lands In Yemen Largely Intact

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 25, 2025

What actually are the Houthis' air defense capabilities? That's a clear question with at best a murky answer, but here is what we know.
News & Features

What Air Defenses Do The Houthis In Yemen Actually Have?

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 23, 2025

J-10C Egypt
Air

China Deploys J-10 Fighters To Egypt

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 21, 2025

Imagery has emerged of a very rarely seen EA-18G Growler loadout involving four examples of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), during ongoing operations against Houthi targets in Yemen. While we know very little about Houthi air defenses, and their associated radars and sensors, the imagery underscores the continued threat that these present.
Air

EA-18G Bristles With Rare Four Anti-Radiation Missile Loadout On Yemen Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 21, 2025

U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1/163rd Combined Arms Battalion, , make an M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles operationally ready in northeast Syria on Feb. 1, 2022. The BFVs provide increased force protection for Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve and their partner forces as they continue to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Gore)
News & Features

U.S. Troop Drawdown In Syria Officially Announced By Pentagon

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 18, 2025

Post strike image of US attack on Houthi fuel port.
Air

Destruction From U.S. Attack On Houthi Port Shown In Satellite Imagery

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 18, 2025

The U.S. military says it has destroyed the Houthi-controlled port of Ras Isa in Yemen, ostensibly to prevent the group from benefiting from the movement of various kinds of fuel through its facilities.
News & Features

American Forces Destroy Key Houthi-Controlled Fuel Port In Yemen

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 17, 2025

U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bombers have not dropped any GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs on Yemen's Houthis since the Trump administration launched a renewed aerial campaign against them, two U.S. officials have told TWZ.
Air

B-2s Have Not Dropped Massive Ordnance Penetrators On Yemen During Diego Garcia Missions: Officials

By Joseph Trevithick, By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 17, 2025

The U.S. will reduce by half its 2,000-troop presence in Syria.
Land

U.S. Cutting Forces In Syria By Half, Possible Ripple Effects In Region

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 16, 2025

When the U.S. wanted to shift a Patriot battery from the Pacific to the Middle East, it took 73 C-17 flights to do so, highlighting sustainment concerns.
Air

It Took 73 C-17 Loads To Move Patriot Battalion From Pacific To Middle East

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 10, 2025

General Atomics has officially unveiled the new Bullseye standoff precision-guided missile that it’s now working with alongside Israeli defense contractor Rafael. The new weapon leverages Rafael’s existing Ice Breaker missile and is being offered to the U.S. military — and allies — at a time when the Pentagon, in particular, is increasingly focused on procuring affordable standoff weapons that can be rapidly produced en masse, for future contingencies, especially in the Indo-Pacific theater,
Air

Bullseye Standoff Weapon Based On Israeli Cruise Missile Unveiled By General Atomics

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 7, 2025

B-2 Spirits in Diego garcia.
Air

B-2 Stealth Bombers Deployed To Diego Garcia Have Been Striking Targets In Yemen

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 4, 2025

B-2 spirits possibly set to strike Iran
Air

Is The U.S. About To Go To War With Iran?

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

Israel cratered the T4 air base in Syria to keep Turkey from using it.
Air

Israel Craters Runway To Keep Turkey From Taking Over Syrian Airfield

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has used B-2 Spirit stealth bombers against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Air

B-2 Spirits Amassed On Diego Garcia Underscore Hardened Aircraft Shelter Debate

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 1, 2025

Tensions between Israel and Turkey around mounting over air bases in Syria.
News & Features

Israel-Turkey Tensions Mounting Over Air Bases In Syria

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 28, 2025

The use of Signal to communicate details about a looming airstrike against the Houthis raised questions about why officials didn't use goverment systems.
News & Features

Signal For Secure Comms: Convenience Over Security Without The Record-Keeping

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 28, 2025

Turkey has begun using tablet computers in the cockpits of its F-16s to enable rapid integration of new locally developed weapons. The development has interesting parallels with Ukraine’s use of such devices to allow its Soviet-era jets to employ Western air-to-ground weapons.
Air

Turkish F-16s Are Using Tablets To Control Locally Made Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 27, 2025

Iran showed off its latest underground missile city.
News & Features

Iran Shows Off Underground ‘Missile City’

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 25, 2025

A significant force of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers looks to be currently wending its way to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
Air

Signs U.S. Massing B-2 Spirit Bombers In Diego Garcia (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 25, 2025

We may have just gotten our first evidence of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb, also known as the Small Diameter Bomber II (SDB II), being used in combat. The first operational use of the StormBreaker by the service would be a big deal, with this weapon bringing some significant advances over its predecessor, the GBU-39/B SDB I, especially the ability to hit moving targets.
Air

F/A-18 Super Hornets Now Carrying Stormbreaker Glide Bombs On Combat Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

Laser-Guided Rockets Shown Shooting Down Houthi Drones For First Time
Air

Laser-Guided Rockets Shown Shooting Down Houthi Drones For First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 19, 2025

250316-N-WO287-1011 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (March 15, 2025) Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, a part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTSCG), conducts flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S Navy Photo)
News & Features

U.S. Air Campaign Against Houthis Continues Into Third Day

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

Israel has confirmed that its F-35 stealth fighters have flown airstrikes using external ordnance. The F-35’s so-called ‘beast mode,’ featuring heavier loads on underwing pylons, is well known by now, but as far as is known, has not been called upon operationally by any other countries. Meanwhile, Israel’s unique F-35I fleet — locally known as the “Adir” (Hebrew for mighty) — which features various local modifications, has frequently been at the forefront of demonstrating new capabilities.
Air

Israeli F-35s First To Use ‘Beast Mode’ In Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

SOCOM wants Green Berets to have FPV drones to operate in caves.
Land

Green Berets Looking For FPV Drones To Help Them Clear Hostile Cave Complexes

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 12, 2025

Russia's airbase is Syria has been flooded with people trying to escape violence between warring factions.
News & Features

Russia’s Air Base In Syria Has Become Refuge From Fierce Sectarian Violence

By Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 10, 2025

Battles take place between the new Syrian government's Defense Ministry forces and the forces loyal to Bashar Assad on March 7, 2025, in outskirts of Jableh, Latakia countryside, Syria.
News & Features

Worst Fighting In Syria Since Fall Of Assad Regime

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 8, 2025

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Armed With Israeli Spike Missiles Now Flying in Iraq
Air

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Armed With Israeli Spike Missiles Now Flying in Iraq

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2025

The U.S. does not know how many weapons the Houthis posses, but praise their innovative abilities.
News & Features

Houthi Weapons Arsenal Remains A Mystery To The U.S.

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 6, 2025

AGM114R9X seen in action for the first time
Air

Bladed ‘Ginsu’ Hellfire Missile Seen In Action For First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 1, 2025

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is back at sea conducting routine operations after a week in port in Greece for repairs.
Sea

Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman Back At Sea After Collision Repairs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery
Air

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral
Air

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 23, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 11, 2025. As a highly maneuverable and agile platform with a proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack, the Fighting Falcon is well-equipped to engage with threats to regional security and deter further aggression in the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)
Air

F-16s With Larger Laser-Guided Rocket Loads, Drone Kill Marking Emerge Over Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

An E/A-18G Growler. (U.S. Navy)
Air

How The EA-18G Growler’s Next-Generation Jamming Pod Went To War On Its First Cruise

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Feb 11, 2025

Syrian forces prevented a large heavily armed Russian convoy from entering the port of Tartus.
News & Features

Russian Military Convoy Blocked From Entering Port Of Tartus In Syria

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 11, 2025