Middle East

Latest in Middle East

Iranian media reports an island in the Strait of Hormuz was attacked

U.S. Just Struck Iranian Targets Around The Strait Of Hormuz (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated 14 Hours Ago

U.S. Navy F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet blasted an Iranian ship running the blockade.(

F/A-18 Super Hornet Blasts Blockade-Running Iranian Ship’s Rudder With 20mm Cannon (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated Yesterday

Iran has attacked the UAE again as fragile ceasefire continues to hold.

New Iranian Attacks On UAE As Ceasefire Holds By A Thread (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 5, 2026

Among the latest products from Turkey’s prolific defense industry is a missile apparently directly inspired by the secretive AGM-114R9X variant of the widely used Hellfire, the effects of which TWZ was the first to identify back in 2017. Named Neşter, Turkish for scalpel, the new missile features the same kind of pop-out, sword-like blades as used on the AGM-119R9X, a weapon popularly dubbed “Flying Ginsu” or “Ninja” due to its unusual capabilities.

Turkey Developing Its Own Bladed ‘Ginsu’ Precision Guided Munition

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 5, 2026

Iranian small boats sunk by apache.

U.S. AH-64 Apache, MH-60 Seahawk Helicopters Sink Six Iranian Boats (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on May 4, 2026

Israel’s first Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker — now given the Hebrew name Gideon, after a biblical judge and military leader — has completed its first flight in the United States, with delivery expected soon. As we have discussed in the past, new tankers and additional refueling capacity are something the Israeli Air Force increasingly needs.

Israel’s First KC-46 Tanker Is Now Flying

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 4, 2026

CENTCOM says the first two ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz under Project Freedom.

First Ships Transit Strait Of Hormuz Under New U.S. Protection Plan

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 4, 2026

As it continues its very high tempo of operations in the Middle East, the Israeli Air Force is set to get two new fighter squadrons, one each of the F-15IA and the stealthy F-35I Adir. While the numbers involved were not stated, the IAF has recently bolstered its fighter inventory in the form of 25-aircraft squadrons. This is almost certain to be the case here, too, which would provide the service with an eventual total of 100 F-35Is and 50 F-15IAs.

Israel To Buy Extra F-15IA And F-35I Squadrons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 3, 2026

The White House says the ceasefire stopped the clock on a law requiring Congressional approval to continue the war.

Iran Ceasefire Means Trump Needs No Congressional Approval To Continue War: White House

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 1, 2026

President Donald Trump is at a crossroads in the future of the war in Iran.

Trump At A Crossroads For Continuing The War With Iran

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

The IDF is now using netting on vehicles to protect against Hezbollah FPV drones.

Israel Now Using Netting To Protect Combat Vehicles Against Scourge Of Hezbollah Drones

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

A MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to the “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, soars above Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) while conducting a vertical replenishment-at-sea alongside

Prospects Dimming On Iran-U.S. Deal To Open Strait, End War

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

U.S. efforts to prevent Iranian mining of the Strait of Hormuz are underway says the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

U.S. Efforts To Prevent Iranian Mine Laying In Strait Of Hormuz Underway

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 24, 2026

President Trump ordered the Navy to blow up Iranian mine-laying boats and said U.S. demining efforts were underway in the Strait of Hormuz

Trump Puts Out Kill Order On Iran’s Small Boats (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Ian Ellis-Jones

Updated on Apr 23, 2026

191028-N-LQ653-1278 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 28, 2019) Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO-202, front, makes its approach to commercial tanker MT Empire State as the two ships prepare to conduct a consolidated loading. The evolution provided the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Pacific Commander the opportunity to exercise a training opportunity at sea with the two ships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patrick W. Menah Jr./Released)

Iranian Attacks Change Way Navy Refuels Its Ships In Middle East

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

Iran has ramped up attacks on Strait of Hormuz shipping.

Iran Ramps Up Attacks On Ships In The Strait Of Hormuz After Trump Ceasefire Extension (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 23, 2026