WASHINGTON — In a briefing from U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper said American forces have struck more than 5,500 targets inside Iran, including more than 60 ships, as part of Operation Epic Fury. Cooper said the campaign continues to deliver what he described as “devastating combat power” against the Iranian regime. He argued that U.S. military power is building while Iranian combat capability is declining, and said the operation remains focused on eliminating Iran’s ability to project force against Americans and neighboring countries.
According to Cooper, the strikes have targeted Iranian ballistic missiles, drones, ships, and defense-related infrastructure. He said strike waves were launched from multiple directions and locations, and added that U.S. forces had destroyed the last of four Soleimani-class warships, putting the entire class out of the fight.
Cooper described the campaign as “unpredictable, dynamic, and decisive.” He said Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks have fallen sharply since the first 24 hours of the operation, but he also accused Iranian forces of continuing to target civilians in Gulf countries while launching attacks from densely populated cities. The admiral said the mission is not limited to intercepting immediate threats. He said U.S. forces are also targeting Iran’s defense industrial base in an effort to reduce future threats, including a strike on what he described as a large ballistic missile manufacturing facility.
During the briefing, Cooper pointed to imagery that he said showed the effects of U.S. operations on Iranian naval assets. He said multiple vessels at Chabahar Port in the Gulf of Oman were taken out of action within days of the campaign’s launch. He also cited additional strikes on surface combatants near the Strait of Hormuz.
Cooper framed those operations as part of a broader maritime security mission. For years, he said, Iran has threatened commercial shipping and U.S. forces in international waters. He said the current objective is to end Iran’s ability to project power and harass shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
On the regional front, Cooper said the United States is coordinating closely with Israel and working alongside partners across the Middle East. He said the campaign is being executed through a combination of lethality, precision, and rapid innovation.
Cooper also highlighted the role of advanced AI tools, saying they help U.S. forces sift through large amounts of data in seconds and enable faster decisions. He said final decisions on whether and when to strike remain in human hands.
He added that the United States is exercising air superiority over vast swaths of Iran and praised the performance of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force personnel. Cooper said the Space Force has been a critical enabler in the conflict, helping degrade Iranian capabilities and protect American forces.
Despite the progress he described, Cooper said U.S. forces remain highly vigilant. He closed by praising the service members involved in the operation and offering thanks to military families.
Watch the full CENCOM update and statement in the video below: