U.S. Central Command > Test page

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay cuts through the Strait of Hormuz, April 7, 2019.

Esper: Operation Sentinel Prevents Escalation of Middle East Waterways Conflict

By C. Todd Lopez | July 24, 2019

Just three hours into his new job, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper met with reporters at the Pentagon to discuss Iran, China and the proposed defense budget.

About Us	Area of Responsibility	Operations And Exercises	Contact	Media	Visitors And Personnel
Command Priorities	CENTCOM Coalition	USMTM	Operational Contract Support	Social Media	Family Center
Leadership		Exercises	Community Relations	News Articles	Family Readiness
Component Commands				Press Releases	CENTCOM Webmail
History				Statements	Security
Posture Statement				Imagery	Accountability
				Videos	Emergency
				Transcripts

Feb. 5, 2026

U.S. Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces Conclude Exercise Indigo Defender

Feb. 5, 2026

USS Delbert D. Black Departs Israel Following Port Visit

Feb. 3, 2026

MARCENT Hosts Lebanese Armed Forces for Security Summit

Jan. 27, 2026

AFCENT to Conduct Readiness Exercise, Generate Combat Airpower

Jan. 13, 2026

Blue Sands 26.1 Fortifies Integrated Air Defense and C-UAS Capabilities Across AFCENT

Jan. 8, 2026

Soldiers, Airmen Increase Sustainment Mission Capabilities

Dec. 16, 2025

332nd AEW Rolls Towards Modernization with New Vehicle Fleet

Dec. 11, 2025

U.S. and Israeli Navies Conclude Exercise Intrinsic Defender

Nov. 22, 2025

U.S., Qatar and Allies Enhance Regional Defense during Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6

Nov. 19, 2025

Royal Saudi Land Forces Complete Historic Training Rotation in U.S.

Albania	Japan	Portugal
Armenia	Jordan	Qatar

Table Using DIV Tags

About Us
Command Priorities Leadership
Component Commands
History
Posture Statement

Area of Responsibility
CENTCOM Coalition

Area of Responsibility
CENTCOM Coalition

Area of Responsibility
CENTCOM Coalition

Area of Responsibility
CENTCOM Coalition

Area of Responsibility
CENTCOM Coalition

00:00/00:00

00:00/00:00

Song Title

Ensemble Title

Album Title

ID	CanStream	CanDownload	URL		Song	Ensemble	Album	Composer	Arranger	Publisher	Year	Duration		Cover Art

Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) enforces the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports against an Iranian-flagged ship attempting to sail to a port in Iran, April 24. https://t.co/XsGg65nXt2

A CH-53 heavy-lift helicopter lifts off from USS Tripoli (LHA 7). The CH-53 has a 36,000 lb aerial lift capacity, capable of transporting vehicles and supplies. https://t.co/ywUlkHYuFy

For the first time in decades, three aircraft carriers are operating in the Middle East at the same time. Accompanied by their carrier air wings, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) include over 200 aircraft and 15,000 https://t.co/fbMdz1IYn8

Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) serve meals to crew members. A typical aircraft carrier strike group serves around 4,000 eggs daily. Three aircraft carrier strike groups are currently operating in the Middle East. Combined, the Sailors and Marines https://t.co/S02RerxDB5

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails in the Indian Ocean in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 23. https://t.co/oDcTM6YMLF

Day and night flight operations continue aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The Ford Carrier Strike Group continues to operate in the Red Sea, supporting maritime security in U.S. 5th Fleet. https://t.co/HVTWVonjAR

U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are deployed across the Middle East as part of the strongest and most lethal military the world has ever known. https://t.co/jhXfl1B68U

U.S. forces have directed 29 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade against Iran. Over past 24 hours, media reports have alleged that several commercial ships evaded the blockade, citing M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena as examples. These https://t.co/SKelkSOr77

U.S. Army Soldiers provide logistics support in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/MB3cymuC17

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon during the U.S. blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports. The P-8 can provide surveillance for extended periods, scanning vast waterways from high altitude. https://t.co/p4Qi6tSkSn

Since the start of the U.S. blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports, U.S. forces have directed 28 vessels to turn around or return to port. https://t.co/mZOq3SfxKt

U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska, April 20, as the Iranian-flagged vessel's container cargo is searched after U.S. Marines boarded and seized the ship when it attempted to violate the U.S. naval blockade. https://t.co/Czs127lK6p

Since the commencement of the blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port. https://t.co/G8dl96wN4H

U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 20, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s https://t.co/Vk88389cDr

https://t.co/SdInnL4ZW8

A helicopter takes off from guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) to patrol regional waters in support of the U.S. blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports. https://t.co/WFUPKDG0zE

Sailors and Marines aboard dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conduct blockade operations in the Arabian Sea. https://t.co/xF6n9ZFkvt

A U.S. Marine aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) monitors shipping during U.S. maritime blockade operations. https://t.co/fjPszIoYcm

Littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) patrols the Arabian Sea during the U.S. blockade. Since commencement of the blockade, 23 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around. American forces are enforcing a maritime blockade against ships entering or https://t.co/PMIBOoeJXS

Guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) patrols the Arabian Sea, April 17, as U.S. forces enforce the naval blockade on ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. Since commencement of the blockade, 21 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to https://t.co/2Ro1lq6ORq

1,579,002

Follow Us