#central_command

U.S. Military Facilitates Over 660 Million Barrels of Oil Through Strait of Hormuz Since May The U.S. military has played a critical role in ensuring the safe passage of more than 660 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since early May, according to Central Command. This figure, shared with CNBC, highlights the military’s ongoing efforts to maintain maritime security in the strategically vital waterway. U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson, confirmed that the military has assisted approximately 1,300 commercial vessels in transiting the strait during the same period. Hawkins emphasized that "multiple routes remain free and open for commercial transit," underscoring the resilience of global oil supply chains despite persistent threats. The military’s data suggests that at least 160 million barrels, or over 7 million barrels per day, have passed through the strait in the past three weeks. This aligns with earlier Central Command statements from July 29, which noted that 500 million barrels had been facilitated since May. However, these figures remain significantly lower than pre-war levels, when approximately 20 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and products flowed through the strait. The exact volume of oil transiting Hormuz daily remains contested, with U.S. officials and private analysts offering divergent estimates. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently stated that the seven-day average of oil exports through the strait had risen to nearly 9 million bpd, while private maritime intelligence firm Windward reported an average of 5 million bpd in July. Windward’s senior analyst, Michelle Wiese Bockmann, noted that exports are expected to increase in August, citing growing efforts by Gulf states to maintain output despite Iranian pressure.#strait_of_hormuz #central_command #u_s_navy #windward #bimco

U.S. Officials Deny New Iran Negotiations Amid Escalating Tensions President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that negotiations with Iran would begin "today" following his decision to cancel planned strikes against the country, but U.S. officials told CBS News that no new talks are planned. The conflicting statements came after Iran denied direct discussions with Washington, with its only ongoing negotiations reportedly focused on Oman. The situation remains tense as the U.S. military continues to enforce a blockade against Iran, redirecting commercial vessels and boarding ships under its control. The dispute has also led to a significant disruption in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil trade. A British maritime agency reported that an "unknown projectile" struck a cargo ship in the strait, though details about the incident, including damage or casualties, were not disclosed. The attack occurred 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Al Khasab, raising concerns about the safety of maritime routes. Meanwhile, data firm Kpler noted that traffic through the strait and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains constrained, with only nine confirmed vessel transits recorded on Sunday, including two sanctioned ships and two shadow fleet vessels. Trump’s rhetoric has intensified the crisis, with the president accusing U.S. oil companies of profiting excessively from high prices driven by the conflict. During an executive order signing at the White House, he criticized Chevron and ExxonMobil for "making too much money" from the situation, vowing that oil prices would "drop through the floor" once the Iran war concludes. However, neither company responded to requests for comment, leaving the administration’s claims unchallenged. The U.S.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #president_donald_trump #central_command #us_officials

Iran’s IRGC Launches Retaliatory Strike After US Attacks The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced it had launched a retaliatory strike against a US military base, claiming the attack was in response to US actions against an Iranian communications tower. The IRGC stated that its Aerospace Force fighters targeted the base where the aggression originated, destroying the predicted targets. The semi-official Fars news agency cited the IRGC’s statement, though it did not specify the location of the base. The strike followed US military actions against Iran, which included strikes on Iranian positions in response to what the US described as “aggressive Iranian actions.” The Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that US fighter aircraft had eliminated Iranian air defenses, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones that threatened shipping in regional waters. No US troops were reported to have been harmed in the Iranian attack. Kuwait condemned the Iranian attacks on its territory, with air defenses intercepting missiles and drones as sirens sounded across the country. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the attacks undermined efforts to de-escalate tensions and threatened regional security. The incident occurred amid ongoing hostilities between Iran and the US, with the latest exchanges of fire occurring as indirect negotiations to extend a fragile ceasefire that took effect in April continued. The ceasefire, which has been repeatedly violated, remains a critical point of contention. Both sides are reportedly reviewing a potential memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would extend the ceasefire for 60 days and initiate peace talks to end the war permanently.#us #iran #central_command #kwait #irgc

Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani Appointed as India's New Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) The Indian government has appointed Lieutenant General (Retired) N S Raja Subramani as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the country, effective from 30 May 2026. This marks the end of the tenure of the incumbent CDS, General Anil Chauhan, whose term concludes on the same date. Subramani will assume the responsibilities of the CDS role, succeeding Chauhan and continuing to oversee the coordination between the three armed forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—until further orders. The position of CDS was established in India in 2020 with the aim of streamlining decision-making processes across the military services. The role involves providing strategic advice to the government on defense matters, ensuring optimal utilization of resources, and shaping future defense preparedness. Subramani's extensive experience in the military, including leadership roles in key positions, positions him well for this critical responsibility. Subramani, currently serving as the Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat, has held several high-profile appointments in his career. He served as Vice Chief of Army Staff from 1 July 2024 to 31 July 2025 and previously commanded the Central Command as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief from March 2023 to June 2024. His long-standing service in the Indian Army, coupled with his administrative and operational expertise, underscores his suitability for the CDS role. The CDS position carries the rank equivalent to a four-star general and comes with a monthly salary of approximately ₹2.5 lakh.#indian_army #central_command #national_security_council_secretariat #lieutenant_general_n_s_raja_subramani #chief_of_defence_staff

Oil Prices Surge Past $100 as US Threatens to Blockade Iranian Ports Following Failed Peace Talks Oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel on Monday as global energy markets reopened in Asia, driven by renewed tensions between the United States and Iran after failed peace talks and President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential blockade of Iranian ports. The surge came amid growing concerns that the ongoing conflict in the region could deepen the global energy crisis. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 8.5% to $102.37, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 9% to $105.34. The price rebound followed a weekend of stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran, which had previously agreed to a conditional ceasefire deal. The failed talks marked a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape, with Trump’s threat to blockade Iranian ports intensifying fears of further disruption to oil supplies. The decision to escalate tensions came after weeks of uncertainty over the viability of the earlier ceasefire agreement, which had included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for global energy trade. The strait, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil shipments pass, has become a focal point of the conflict. Iranian officials had previously warned that any attempt to use the waterway would be met with retaliation, a stance that has now been reinforced by the US military’s explicit threat to enforce a blockade. The current crisis has its roots in the broader Iran war, which began on February 28 when Iran retaliated against US-Israeli strikes by threatening to attack vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Since then, the strait has been a flashpoint for conflict, with shipping activity largely halted.#us #iran #strait_of_hormuz #president_donald_trump #central_command

White House Considering a Raid to Seize Kharg Island The Trump administration is reportedly evaluating a series of special operations against Iran, including a potential raid to capture Kharg Island, according to Axios. The island, situated at the northernmost point of the Arabian Gulf, serves as a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports. It hosts the main crude loading port, which processes the majority of Iran’s oil shipments. By capacity, the facility could handle significantly more oil than Iran’s current national output, with its primary buyers being privately owned refineries in China. Kharg Island’s strategic position near the shipping routes of Iraq and Kuwait makes it a key target for U.S. military planners. Officials cited during the Axios report mentioned the island in discussions about recovering Iran’s high-enriched uranium fuel supply from the Isfahan tunnel complex, which was previously damaged by U.S. strikes. Seizing Kharg could provide a logistical base for future operations in Iran and allow the U.S. to exert control over regional sea lanes. Iran’s ability to reclaim the island is deemed unlikely in the near term. The U.S. has established air dominance over the area, and Iranian naval forces have suffered heavy losses from U.S. Central Command actions. CENTCOM recently reported sinking over 30 Iranian warships since the conflict began. According to Jarrod Agen, a former Lockheed marketing executive now leading the National Energy Dominance Council, the ultimate objective is to secure Iran’s oil supply. Agen emphasized that controlling Iran’s oil would reduce concerns about disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, “We’re not going to have to worry about these issues in the Strait of Hormuz because we’re going to get all of the oil out of the hands of terrorists.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #white_house #kharg_island #central_command

Iranian Ballistic Missile Hits CENTCOM HQ; Qatar Confirms Attack, No Loss Of Life Reported Iran launched ballistic missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base, the U.S. Central Command’s forward headquarters in Qatar. Doha confirmed two Iranian missiles were fired toward its territory, with one intercepted by air defenses and the second striking the base southwest of the capital. The attack targeted a critical strategic asset for Washington, as Al Udeid serves as the hub for American and coalition air operations in the Middle East. Despite the strike, no casualties were reported. The incident follows a series of Iranian attacks on U.S. military installations, including strikes on bases in Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. Recent satellite imagery revealed the extent of damage to U.S. facilities in Kuwait, while reports highlighted a drone strike on a key U.S. Army base in the UAE. Qatar’s air defenses also thwarted an Iranian Su-24 fighter jet from reaching the CENTCOM headquarters, as reported by CNN. These attacks underscore the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States in the region. Separately, the sinking of Iran’s frigate IRIS Dena by a U.S. submarine in international waters near Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone sparked controversy. The ship had arrived in India for the MILAN-2026 naval exercise but was torpedoed days later. India’s government remained silent on the incident, despite domestic political backlash. Analysts noted that the attack occurred outside India’s jurisdiction, but questions remain about India’s role and awareness of the operation. The incident challenges India’s claim of being the dominant security provider in the Indian Ocean, raising concerns about its response to such threats. The attacks reflect a broader pattern of Iranian military actions against U.S.#iran #iraq #qatar #central_command #milan_2026