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Aug. 19, 2019
Statement from General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., Commander, U.S. Central Command, Welcoming the Kingdom of Bahrain into the International Maritime Security Construct
Tampa, Fla. — U.S. Central Command welcomes the Kingdom of Bahrain into the International Maritime Security Construct. I appreciate His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa's decision to join the United Kingdom and the United States in taking an active role in preserving the freedom of navigation, promoting maritime security and de-escalating regional tensions.
July 19, 2019
U.S. Central Command Statement on Operation Sentinel
TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command is developing a multinational maritime effort, Operation Sentinel, to increase surveillance of and security in key waterways in the Middle East to ensure freedom of navigation in light of recent events in the Arabian Gulf region.
U.S. Central Command Statement on movement of U.S. personnel to Saudi Arabia
TAMPA, Fla. — "In coordination with and at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Secretary of Defense has authorized the movement of U.S. personnel and resources to deploy to Saudi Arabia. This movement of forces provides an additional deterrent, and ensures our ability to defend our forces and interests in the region from emergent, credible threats. This movement creates improvement of operational depth and logistical networks. U.S. Central Command continually assesses force posture in the region and is working with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia authorities to base U.S. assets at the appropriate locations."
U.S. Central Command Statement on U.S. activity in the Strait of Hormuz
TAMPA, Fla. — "We have patrol aircraft operating in international airspace monitoring the situation within the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command has been in contact with U.S. ships operating in the area to ensure their safety."
U.S. Central Command statement on attack against the Iranians and a Popular Mobilization Force unit in Salah ad Din
TAMPA, Fla. — We are aware of the reports of an attack against the Iranians and a Popular Mobilization Force unit in Salah ad Din. US Forces were not involved, and we have no further information at this time.
July 11, 2019
Statement from U.S. Central Command on IRGC harrassment of the UK merchant vessel British Heritage
"We are aware of the reports of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp Navy's FAC/FIAC harassment and attempts to interfere with the passage of the UK-flagged merchant vessel British Heritage today near the Strait of Hormuz. We refer you the UK Ministry of Defense for further information on this. Threats to international freedom of navigation require an international solution. The world economy depends on the free flow of commerce, and it is incumbent on all nations to protect and preserve this lynchpin of global prosperity."
June 30, 2019
Statement from U.S. Central Command on strike against al-Qaida in Syria
TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Forces conducted a strike against al-Qaida in Syria (AQ-S) leadership at a training facility near Aleppo Province, Syria, June 30, 2019.
June 20, 2019
U.S. Air Forces Central Command Statement on the Shoot Down of a U.S. RQ-4
"A U.S. Navy RQ-4 was flying over the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz on a surveillance mission in international airspace in the vicinity of recent IRGC maritime attacks when it was shot down by an IRGC surface to air missile fired from a location in the vicinity of Goruk, Iran. This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset that had not violated Iranian airspace at any time during its mission.
U.S. Central Command Statement: Iranians shoot down U.S. drone
TAMPA, Fla. — "U.S. Central Command can confirm that a U.S. Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (or BAMS-D) ISR aircraft was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile system while operating in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 11:35 p.m. GMT on June 19, 2019. Iranian reports that the aircraft was over Iran are false. This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset in international airspace.
June 18, 2019
Statement From Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan on Additional Forces to U.S. Central Command
In response to a request from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for additional forces, and with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in consultation with the White House, I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East.