Key facts
- US Central Command confirmed ongoing military operations across the Middle East.
- US forces are conducting patrols by air, land, and sea.
- A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, established in April 2026, is reportedly in jeopardy.
- The US continues a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
- An estimated 40,000 US troops are stationed in the Middle East.
- Approximately 900 US troops remain in eastern Syria for counterterrorism efforts.
US Central Command (Centcom) has affirmed that American military forces remain actively deployed throughout the Middle East, conducting operations "in the skies, on land, and at sea." The command shared imagery of routine patrols by U.S. Air Force A-10 attack aircraft and service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
This confirmation of ongoing military presence comes amid continued diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran concerning a memorandum of understanding. A fragile ceasefire between the two nations, initially reached on April 8, 2026, is reportedly in serious jeopardy after President Trump rejected an Iranian proposal on May 11, 2026. The United States naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect, contributing to an estimated DEFCON level of 3, indicating sustained strategic threat readiness.
Overall, approximately 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed in the Middle East. Within Syria, about 900 U.S. troops are deployed in the eastern part of the country. These forces are engaged in counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State group and provide defense against Iranian-backed militias, operating alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces.