WASHINGTON D.C. — The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday that American forces will continue operations aimed at “rapidly depleting Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz,” as the conflict between Tehran, Washington, and Tel Aviv enters its fourth week.
Speaking in a video posted on CENTCOM’s official X account, CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper provided an update on Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing US-led campaign against Iranian military capabilities. Cooper said the operation’s objectives are “well-defined” and focus on eliminating Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones, and naval threats.
“It’s one thing to defend by striking launchers and intercepting missiles and drones, but it’s another thing to eliminate the wider manufacturing apparatus behind them. And we are doing that today,” Cooper said. He highlighted that US forces have carried out a “large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island,” reportedly destroying “more than 90 Iranian military targets.”
The admiral emphasized that US and allied strikes aim to achieve “clear military objectives” to weaken Iran’s ability to project power across the region, particularly its long-standing threat to commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. “We continue to remain centered on our military objectives,” he said.
According to CENTCOM, American air operations have involved more than 6,000 combat sorties by Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aviators, underscoring the joint force’s sustained “air superiority over Iranian skies.” Cooper presented before-and-after imagery of key targeted sites, including a naval drone storage facility near the Strait of Hormuz, an attack drone production factory in Tehran, and a military depot associated with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) missile infrastructure.
He also reported that joint air, land, and maritime operations have “successfully destroyed over 100 Iranian naval vessels,” emphasizing that the campaign is ongoing.
The admiral accused Iran of carrying out over 300 attacks across the region in the past two weeks, describing these strikes as evidence of Tehran’s role as “a global leader of terror.” He specifically condemned a recent missile attack on civilian neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, saying regional partners are working together to strengthen defenses against such assaults.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of international energy and security concerns since the IRGC imposed restrictions on most vessels amid US-Israeli attacks on Iran, which began on Feb. 28. Prior to the conflict, approximately 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily, and the ongoing disruption has contributed to a significant rise in global oil prices.
The US and Israeli military operations against Iran have reportedly killed around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Some attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
Adm. Cooper’s update reflects a broader US strategy of maintaining maritime security in the Persian Gulf while applying sustained pressure on Tehran’s military capabilities. Analysts note that Operation Epic Fury combines precision strikes, intelligence-driven targeting, and allied support to minimize civilian casualties while aiming to neutralize Iran’s ability to interfere with international shipping lanes.
As tensions continue to rise, both the US and Iran have indicated that the conflict will persist until strategic objectives are met. CENTCOM’s statement reinforces Washington’s commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint in global energy supply, and highlights the ongoing challenges posed by Tehran’s retaliatory actions in the region.
