TAMPA, Fla. — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, met with reporters today at CENTCOM headquarters to provide an operational update on “Operation Epic Fury.”
The officials reported a significant expansion of the air and sea campaign, claiming total dominance over Iranian airspace and the destruction of a substantial portion of Iran’s naval and missile capabilities.
During the briefing, Secretary Hegseth stated that the U.S. has moved away from “restrictive” rules of engagement, granting Admiral Cooper “maxed out” authority to achieve clear battlefield objectives.
Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. is prepared to sustain the campaign indefinitely, noting that munitions stockpiles remain full and additional combat power is still flowing into the region.
Naval and Air Strike Results
Admiral Cooper provided specific data on the damage dealt to Iranian forces over the last 72 hours. He reported that U.S. bombers struck nearly 200 targets deep inside Iran, including sites near the capital, Tehran.
Within the last hour, B-2 stealth bombers reportedly dropped dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs on hardened, underground ballistic missile launchers.
The Admiral also detailed a sharp decline in Iranian offensive capabilities since the start of the operation:
- Ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90%.
- Drone attacks have dropped by 83%.
- Naval losses now exceed 30 Iranian ships sunk or destroyed, including what Cooper described as a “militarily ineffective” Iranian aircraft carrier currently on fire.
Strategic Objectives and Industrial Targets
The mission has transitioned into a phase focused on “leveling” Iran’s ballistic missile industrial base. According to Cooper, the goal is to prevent the Iranian regime from rebuilding its arsenal.
He noted that the U.S. is working “shoulder to shoulder” with Israeli forces, creating the most integrated air defense network in the history of the Middle East.
Secretary Hegseth addressed reports regarding potential nuclear targets, stating that while the U.S. policy is that Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon, he would not disclose specific operational plans or whether those facilities have been struck.
Countering Disinformation
Hegseth dismissed claims from Iranian leadership regarding U.S. casualties—specifically a claim that 500 Americans had been killed—labeling them as propaganda intended for Iran’s internal population. He did, however, pause to honor six fallen American service members whose remains are expected to arrive at Dover Air Force Base shortly.
When asked about the potential for “mission creep” or the expansion of military objectives to include regime change, Hegseth stated there was “no expansion,” but noted that the ongoing operations are already influencing the future of Iranian leadership.
He further asserted that the U.S. maintains the ability to manage this conflict while simultaneously addressing cartels in the Western Hemisphere and maintaining a presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Admiral Cooper noted that the U.S. is now successfully using “Lucas” drones —a design captured from Iran and repurposed—to shoot down Iranian drones (good targets), significantly reducing the cost of aerial defense.
READ: Trump Demands Personal Hand In Choosing Iran’s Next Leader, Citing Venezuela Model
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