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.

June 20, 2019

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.

June 16, 2019

Statement from US Central Command on attacks against U.S. observation aircraft

TAMPA, Florida — A U.S. MQ-9 was shot down over Yemen by what we assess to be a Houthi SA-6 surface to air missile on Jun 6, 2019. On June 13, 2019, according to our assessment, a modified Iranian SA-7 surface-to-air missile attempted to shoot down a U.S. MQ-9 over the Gulf of Oman.

June 13, 2019

U.S. Central Command Statement on June 13 Limpet Mine Attack in the Gulf of Oman

U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local time from the motor tanker (M/T) Altair and a second one at 7a.m. local time from the M/T Kokuka Courageous.

June 13, 2019

CENTCOM statement on recent events in the Gulf of Oman

"U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local time and a second one at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received the calls from the M/V Front Altair and M/V Kokuka Courageous, who were operating in international waters of the Gulf of Oman.

May 20, 2019

U.S. Central Command Statement on Explosion in Green Zone

"We are aware of an explosion in the International Zone (Green Zone) outside of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on May 19. There were no U.S. or coalition casualties, and Iraqi Security Forces are investigating the incident." Attributable to Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for U.S. Central Command

May 14, 2019

CENTCOM Statement on recent comments from OIR's Deputy Commander

MacDill AFB, Fl. — Recent comments from OIR's Deputy Commander run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S. and allies regarding Iranian backed forces in the region. U.S. Central Command, in coordination with Operation Inherent Resolve, has increased the force posture level for all service members assigned to OIR in Iraq and Syria. As a result, OIR is now at a high level of alert as we continue to closely monitor credible and possibly imminent threats to U.S. forces in Iraq. - Capt. Bill Urban, USN, Lead spokesman U.S. Central Command