US Central Command: Over 50,000 American military personnel operating in Middle East Over 50,o00 US military officers are operating in the Middle East, according to a statement from the US Central Command (Centcom). The statement recapped the US' sixth consecutive night of attacks on Iran, stating the American military "launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities." According to another statement released by Centcom on X, the US military has redirected three commercial ships, disabled one, and boarded one as part of its blockade of Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct a verification boarding aboard M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman, July 16.
As of today, American forces have redirected 3 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 1 that didn’t comply, and boarded 1 to… pic.twitter.com/vbjArHuLaO — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 16, 2026
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