US military

US intercepts Iran-linked oil tanker en route from Caribbean to Indian Ocean

'The vessel tried to defy President [Donald] Trump’s quarantine, hoping to slip away,' a DoD statement read, adding, 'By land, air, or sea, we will find you and deliver justice.'

|ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
US troops are seen boarding an oil tanker breaching Washington's blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from Venezuela, February 15, 2026.
The world's largest aircraft carrier, the U.S. Navy nuclear-powered Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) arrives in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, December 1, 2025.

US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations

"Sometimes you have to have fear. That's the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of," Trump said.

|ByREUTERS
Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. troops are seen during a patrol near Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria November 4, 2018

US pulls out of Syria’s al-Tanf base after 15-day equipment removal, relocating to Jordan - report

The al-Tanf base is strategically located in the tri-border area of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. It was established as a key hub for operations by the global coalition against Islamic State terrorists.

|ByJAMES GENN
US military forces boarded the crude oil tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean after pursuing it from the Caribbean. The vessel was accused of breaching Washington's blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from Venezuela. February 9, 2026.

Trump administration weighs seizing Iranian oil tankers to further pressure Tehran - WSJ

The move would put significant pressure on Iran’s main source of revenue, according to US officials, but “faces many obstacles,” including concerns regarding Iranian retaliation.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM, REUTERS

Iran's Reza Pahlavi: Trump needs to act, end IRGC's genocide on Iranians

"This is a genocide in the making," and Iranian protesters need help to neutralize elements the regime has used to brutalize its own citizenry, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi told Hugh Hewitt.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi following a speech in Washington, January 16, 2026; illustrative.

US forces board Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean without incident

"Overnight, US military forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding on the Aquila II without incident," Hegseth wrote in a post on X/Twitter. "It ran, and we followed."

FEBRUARY 9, 2026ByREUTERS
US military forces boarded the crude oil tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean after pursuing it from the Caribbean. The vessel was accused of breaching Washington's blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from Venezuela. February 9, 2026.

No clear objectives for US military action in Iran, officials say

Senior US officials are unclear on Trump's objectives for military action in Iran, as indirect talks continue in Oman amid rising tensions.

FEBRUARY 6, 2026ByJAMES GENN
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sails alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

US military says it killed two people in strike on suspected drug vessel in Eastern Pacific

According to CNN, at least 119 people have now been killed in American military strikes on suspected drug boats as part of the Trump administrations so-called campaign against narcotics trafficking. 

FEBRUARY 6, 2026ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The top deck of US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, with fighter jets, December 1, 2025; illustrative.

'Still lethal': As Tehran tests US resolve, Iranian drones pose a deadly threat, experts say

Iran's drones are slow, but present a significant threat due to their numbers as part of Iran's attempts to oversaturate Western air defense systems.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Iranian Army drone fleet parades on the occasion of National Army Day on April 18, 2025 in Tehran, Iran.

US confirms troops on ground in Nigeria amid ISIS counterterror push

The US has sent a small team of troops to Nigeria following December airstrikes on ISIS targets, marking the first confirmation of US forces on the ground.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByREUTERS
Newspapers with articles reporting US President Donald Trump's message to Nigeria over the treatment of Christians hang at a newspaper stand in Ojuelegba, Lagos, Nigeria November 2, 2025.

Israelis divided on joining US pre-emptive strike on Iran, ending US military aid - IDI poll

Israelis are divided on Iran, US military aid, and Netanyahu’s role in Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace, according to a new Israel Democracy Institute survey.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Damage in the aftermath of an Iranian ballistic missile hitting a building in Bat Yam, June 29, 2025; illustrative.

UAE urges diplomacy as US and Iran restart nuclear negotiations

Gulf leaders warned against further escalation as the US and Iran prepare to restart nuclear negotiations this week.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByREUTERS
L to R: Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump against backdrop of respective flags and missile strikes.

Secret Israel-US Pentagon talks focused on intelligence sharing as Iran tensions rise - exclusive

During a quiet visit to Washington, IDF Chief Eyal Zamir met senior US military leaders in closed-door talks tied to Iran and regional security, according to diplomatic sources.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByZVIKA KLEIN
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine in a previous meeting.

US warns IRGC against 'escalatory behavior' in international waters

CENTCOM's statement, while acknowledging "Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters," warned against any unsafe or threatening behaviors during the exercise.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sails alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.