Middle East (Page 3)

Latest in Middle East

For the first time, an F-35 has shot down a crewed aircraft in combat. According to the Israeli military, an Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-35I Adir brought down an Iranian Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer over Tehran.
Iran

Israeli Air Force First To Claim F-35 Air-To-Air Kill Of A Crewed Aircraft

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

U.S. Navy Submarine Torpedoes Iranian Frigate In Indian Ocean
Iran

U.S. Navy Submarine Torpedoes Iranian Frigate In Indian Ocean

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 4, 2026

Kuwaiti Hornet shot down F-15Es: REPORT
Iran

Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet Responsible For Shooting Down Three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles: Report

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

Iran appears to be increasingly focusing its retaliatory attacks against energy production infrastructure in Gulf Arab States.
Iran

Gulf Arab States Under Pressure As Iranian Attacks Grind On (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 4, 2026

U.S. Navy warships could soon be escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, according to President Donald Trump.
Iran

Trump’s Plan To Escort Ships Through Strait Of Hormuz Would Put U.S. Navy Warships In The Crosshairs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

The U.S. is sending more fighters jets to the Middle East.
Iran

More U.S. Fighter Aircraft Heading To Middle East

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 3, 2026

Drone boat attack, first of operation Epic Fury.
Iran

Iranian Kamikaze Drone Boat Makes First Successful Strike Of War

By Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 2, 2026

The joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran has entered day three.
Iran

War With Iran Now In Its Third Day

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 2, 2026

Iran’s Key Naval Base On Strait Of Hormuz Set Ablaze From Strikes
Iran

Iran’s Key Naval Base On Strait Of Hormuz Set Ablaze From Strikes

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 2, 2026

F-15 crashes in the Middle East.
Iran

Three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles Shot Down By Friendly Fire (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 2, 2026

The joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran has entered its second day.
Iran

U.S.-Israeli War With Iran Enters Day Two (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 2, 2026

The U.S. military has employed new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missiles as part of ongoing operations against Iran.
Iran

America’s New PrSM Ballistic Missile Just Made Its Combat Debut

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 1, 2026

B-2s were used to strike for the first time during operation Epic Fury.
Iran

B-2 Spirits Join Iran Air War, Pummel Underground Missile Caves (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 1, 2026

The U.S. used LUCAS kamikaze drones against Iran, the first combat deployment of these weapons.
Iran

U.S. Military Has Used Long-Range Kamikaze Drones In Combat For The First Time

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 28, 2026

Iran strikes 5th fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
Iran

U.S. And Israel At War With Iran (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 28, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump says that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in ongoing war.
Iran

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Killed In Strikes, Trump Declares

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 28, 2026

Black tomahawk launched from U.S. Navy destroyer at Iran.
Iran

Black Tomahawk Cruise Missile Seen For The First Time In Strikes On Iran (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 28, 2026

Iranian Navy frigate struck in port in konarak iran.
Iran

Iranian Frigate Seen Ablaze After Being Struck In Port

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 28, 2026

The U.S. Air Force now has at least 14 aerial refueling tankers forward-deployed in Israel ahead of potential strikes on Iran.
Iran

Israel’s Fighter Force Stands To Be Far More Effective With Full USAF Tanker Support In A War With Iran

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 28, 2026

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker before it departs during Operation Agile Spartan at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 19, 2023. The large-scale exercise reinforced the U.S. commitment to its regional partners across the Middle East through developing and maintaining missions in unpredictable ways, rapidly responding to the needs of joint and coalition commanders. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region.
Iran

Tankers Vacate Al Udeid Air Base As U.S. Citizens Are Urged To Leave Israel Immediately (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

USS Ford heads to Israel. (U.S. Navy photo)
Iran

USS Gerald R. Ford’s Imminent Arrival Off Israel Comes As Negotiations Grind On

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

With the U.S. at the precipice of war with Iran, we break down the glaring questions surround such an operation and the reasoning for it.
Iran

The Massive Questions Surrounding A Major American Air War Against Iran

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 26, 2026

As well as a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors have also arrived in theater, according to multiple reports. The stealth jets took off from RAF Lakenheath in England yesterday, confirmed by open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, and are now at an Israeli Air Force base in the south of Israel.
Iran

F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward Deploy To Israel

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 15, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.
Iran

Iran Signals Possible “Fast Deal” To Be Made In Nuclear Talks As U.S. Military Build-Up Grinds On

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

A group of Block 52 F-16CJ Vipers belonging to the South Carolina Air National Guard was recently spotted heading east across the Atlantic as part of a huge build-up of U.S. forces ahead of potential strikes on Iran.
Iran

F-16s Heading To Middle East Equipped With Angry Kitten Electronic Warfare Pods

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

USS gerald R Ford has entered the Mediterranean.
Iran

Supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford Has Crossed Into The Mediterranean

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

A decision by the U.K. to block U.S. access to two key bases for an attack on Iran could impact President Donald Trump's plans.
Iran

U.K. Denying U.S. Use Of Key Bases Would Impact Bombers’ Role In Iran Air Campaign

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

Iran is hosting a joint naval exercise with China and Russia amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran
Iran

What Iran’s Naval Exercise With China And Russia In The Strait Of Hormuz Actually Means

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 18, 2026

In the past two days, the U.S. Air Force has sent six of its 16 E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) radar planes to bases in Europe.
Iran

Major Deployment Of Rickety E-3 Sentry Fleet For Iran Crisis Highlights Worrisome Gaps

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 18, 2026

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry, airborne warning and control system (AWACS).
Iran

Final Pieces Moving Into Place For Potential Attack On Iran

By Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 17, 2026

The USS Ford was ordered to the Middle East after CNO expressed concerns about the ships and crew after months at sea.
Iran

Navy’s Top Admiral Previously Said He Would “Push Back” Against Extending USS Gerald R. Ford’s Deployment

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 13, 2026

The USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group conducts a simulated strait transit in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 10, 2025. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is underway for Group Sail, its first integrated at-sea training phase. This event is designed to increase the Strike Group’s tactical proficiency and lethality across all domains, meeting Navy and Joint warfighting requirements. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John R. Farren)
Iran

Second Carrier Strike Group Ordered To Spin-Up For Deployment To Middle East: Report

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 12, 2026

DOW making naughty or nice list of defense contractors.
Middle East

Pentagon Is Making A Naughty Or Nice List Of Defense Contractors

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 11, 2026

F-35A stealth fighters from the Vermont Air National Guard are moving cl;oser to the Middle East amid an ongoing U.S. military buildup there.
Iran

F-35A Stealth Fighters Moving Closer To Middle East As U.S. Military Buildup Continues

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 10, 2026

A10s provide CAS for LCS in Arabian Sea.
Iran

A-10 Warthog Protects Mine-Hunting Littoral Combat Ship In Persian Gulf Drill

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 9, 2026

Drone-killing F-15E Strike Eagles made a cameo appearance during the Super Bowl
Middle East

Laser-Guided Rocket-Armed F-15E Strike Eagles Make Super Bowl Cameo Appearance

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 9, 2026

As U.S.-Iran talks are set to take place in Oman tomorrow, the region prepares for war.
Iran

Middle East Preparing For War Ahead Of U.S.-Iran Negotiations

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

Video has emerged that is said to show a Russian-made Mi-28NE Havoc attack helicopter flying over the Iranian capital Tehran.
Iran

Evidence Of Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopters Delivered To Iran Grows

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 4, 2026

A U.S. Navy F-35C Joint Strike Fighter flying from the supercarrier USS Abraham Lincoln has shot down an Iranian drone said to have “aggressively approached” the ship.
Iran

F-35 From USS Abraham Lincoln Shoots Down Iranian Drone (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 3, 2026

Jordan, where U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles are base, says the U.S. cannot launch an attack from its country.
Iran

Washington-Tehran Talks Planned As U.S. Military Buildup Continues

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

F-35s land in the Azores.
Iran

USAF F-35s Redeploy Across Atlantic From Puerto Rico, Final Destination Unknown

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 29, 2026

The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black and an Air Force spy plane joined a growing for in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
Iran

Destroyer, Electronic Surveillance Jet Joins U.S. Forces Massing In Middle East

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

RF-4C Phantom reconnaissance aircraft from the 152nd Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Reno, Nev., prepare for a mission during Operation Desert Shield.
Iraq

Flying F-4 Reconnaissance Phantoms Unarmed And Unafraid In Desert Storm

By James Deboer

Updated on Jan 27, 2026

The USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the CENTCOM region.
Iran

Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Has Arrived In CENTCOM’s Area Of Responsibility

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 26, 2026

A deal to allow SDF fighters to leave a prison in Syria where they are holed up will help protect U.S. forces, an official tells us.
Syria

Safe Passage Deal For Kurds In Syria Will Help Protect U.S. Forces There: Official

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 23, 2026

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is now in the Indian Ocean.
Iran

Military Buildup In The Middle East Continues, Including What Trump Describes As A “Big Flotilla” (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 23, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump says a strike against Iran is not off the table.
Iran

U.S. Military Buildup In The Middle East Grinds On (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 21, 2026

The USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the CENTCOM region.
Iran

Signs Emerge Of U.S. Navy, Air Force Push To Middle East

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 16, 2026

An Israeli CH-53 Sea Stallion military helicopter transporting the released Israeli hostages formerly held captive in Gaza since the 2023 October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants is pictured above the helipad at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan on October 13, 2025.
Israel

Israeli CH-53 Dropping Stricken UH-60 During Sling-Load Mishap Caught On Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 16, 2026

President Donald Trump's claim that Iran has stopped killing protesters has sparked confusion over his intentions.
Iran

Trump Claims Iran Has Stopped Killing Protestors

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 15, 2026

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran's Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities, and included economic slogans, to political and anti-government ones.
Iran

Trump Tells Protesters “Help Is On Its Way,” Cuts Off Negotiations With Regime

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 13, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is unafraid to use lethal force against Iran in response to its brutal crackdown on protesters.
Iran

World Waits For Trump’s Next Move On Iran As Protests Grow Deadlier

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 12, 2026

Iranian officials are threatening protesters with death.
Iran

Iran Threatens Protesters With Death

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 9, 2026

Major protests in Iran spread for another day.
Iran

Days Of Rage, Nights Of Flames Across Iran

Howar Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 9, 2026

PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft, a fighter jet made in China and Pakistan. The Pakistani plane is painted with the country's flag as it belongs to Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft performed a flight demo, flying demonstration at the 53rd Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in France on June 2019. The advanced and sophisticated fighter jet is developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China.
Saudi Arabia

JF-17 Thunder Fighter To Be Offered To Saudi Arabia: Report

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 8, 2026

A picture has emerged that looks to show Iran's Mohajer-6 drone has entered service, at least on a limited level, with the Venezuelan military.
Iran

Iranian Strike-Surveillance Drones Are Now Operating In Venezuela

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 1, 2026

Pentagon announces $8.6 billion Boeing contract for F-15 jets for Israel
Israel

Israel Rearming Its Eagle Force With The New F-15IA

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

The U.S. Navy personnel in the Middle East have test-launched a Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) long-range kamikaze drone from the Independence class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Santa Barbara.
Iran

Littoral Combat Ship Launches Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 18, 2025

Two US troops and a civilian US interpreter were killed by a lone gunman in Syria, who was also killed.
Syria

Ambush In Syria Leaves Two U.S. Troops, Civilian Interpreter Dead (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 13, 2025

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker offloads fuel to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 8, 2025. The KC-135 Stratotanker is the backbone of U.S. Air Forces Central's global reach aerial refueling capability and delivers critical support to joint and coalition aircraft in order to guarantee war-winning airpower throughout the CENTCOM AOR.
Red Sea

Super Hornet Seen With Rare SLAM-ER Missile Loadout On Yemen Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 3, 2025

US is deploying Shahed-136 clones to the Middle East.
Middle East

U.S. Deploys Shahed-136 Clones To Middle East As A Warning To Iran

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 3, 2025

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Nov. 23, 2025) Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23. The LUCAS platforms are part of a one-way attack drone squadron CENTCOM recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (Courtesy Photo)
Iran

American Shahed-136 Clones Sent To Middle East Have Satellite Datalinks, Swarming Capabilities

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 3, 2025

Turkish industry and media alike have heralded the recent live-fire test in which a Kizilelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) used a Turkish-made air-to-air missile to destroy a target drone. Turkey claims the test marks the first occasion a UCAV has launched a radar-guided air-to-air missile. But, while undoubtedly impressive, there are unanswered questions about how the engagement actually played out, especially to what degree the UCAV was being controlled by crewed fighter jets.
Turkey

Turkey’s Fighter-Like Kizilelma Drone Shot Down Aerial Target With Radar-Guided Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 1, 2025

‘Crew One,’ a three-man weapons load team, completes the first full external loadout with live munitions for the F-35A Lightening II May 3, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron were configured in a full external live loadout of six GBU-49 small glide munitions and two AIM-9x Sidewinder missiles to execute an operation in Southwest Asia.
Saudi Arabia

Impact Of Selling F-35s To Saudi Arabia On The Region

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Nov 20, 2025