Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that Operation Epic Fury has severely degraded Iran's military capabilities, reducing its ability to threaten regional partners and global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Takeaways
Admiral Brad Cooper testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that U.S. military operations have severely degraded Iran's ability to threaten regional stability and global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Operation Epic Fury achieved all objectives, degrading Iran's military capabilities by up to 90%
- Over 13,000 targets struck, including missile, drone, and naval facilities
- Cooper denies reports that Iran retains most of its missile stockpiles
- Strait of Hormuz remains closed, trapping vessels and mariners
Cooper reported that U.S. forces have destroyed more than 90% of Iran's naval mines and significantly damaged or destroyed over 85% of its ballistic missile, drone, and naval industrial base through more than 1,450 strikes on weapons-manufacturing facilities. Despite these successes, he acknowledged that Iran still maintains some capabilities to threaten ships.
The admiral also addressed ongoing concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, stating that while Iran's ability to stop commerce has been dramatically degraded, threats are still clearly heard by the merchant and insurance industries. He affirmed that reopening the strait is within the military's capability but emphasized that it is a decision for policymakers.
Cooper refuted reports suggesting Iran retains about 70% of its ballistic missile inventory, calling them inaccurate without providing specifics due to classification. He also addressed civilian casualties, noting an ongoing investigation into a strike on an Iranian girls' school and denying the accuracy of reports that 22 schools had been hit since the start of the conflict.
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