There is 

no official, Congressionally-declared “war” involving the United States in the Gulf of Mexico or the Persian Gulf right now. However, the U.S. is involved in ongoing military operations and heightened tensions in both regions. 

In the Gulf of Mexico / Caribbean Sea

The U.S. is engaged in a significant military campaign, primarily in the Southern Caribbean, which the Trump administration has framed as a “war on the cartels”. 

• Operations Against Cartels: Since mid-2025, the U.S. has conducted a major naval buildup and military strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. These operations, which have resulted in multiple deaths, are aimed at disrupting narcotrafficking.
• Tensions with Venezuela: The military buildup has coincided with heightened tensions with the Venezuelan government, with some analysts suggesting the true goal might be regime change.
• “Gulf of America” Naming Dispute: In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” within the U.S. federal government. This has led to a legal and political dispute with news organizations like the Associated Press, which continues to use the traditional name, but does not indicate a formal “war” for control of the body of water itself. 

In the Persian Gulf (Middle East)

The U.S. military maintains a strong presence in the Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf) and is involved in regional conflicts. 

• Operations Against Houthis: The U.S. is conducting ongoing strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. Houthi officials have stated they are “at war with America”.
• Tensions with Iran: The U.S. has undertaken military actions related to deterring Iran, including a precision strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure in October 2025, which was described as a mission to degrade capabilities and restore deterrence. While exchanges of attacks have occurred, the U.S. and Iran are not officially at war. 

The U.S. Constitution requires a formal declaration of war by Congress, which has not happened in either case. Instead, the administration is using existing authorizations for the use of military force or executive actions to conduct these operations.