Commander of US Central Command, Brad Cooper, considered that factions linked to Iran in the region had become “isolated from Iranian supplies,” stressing that recent US military operations had significantly reduced Tehran’s capabilities and regional influence.
During a hearing before the Armed Services Committee of the US Senate in Washington, Cooper said that Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis “have become completely isolated from Iranian supplies,” as he put it.
He added that the United States “succeeded in less than 40 days in achieving its military goals inside Iran,” considering that the American operations weakened Tehran’s ability to threaten the stability of the region and American interests.
Cooper also claimed that Iran “will not be able to rebuild its military arsenal for years,” noting that “90% of its defense industrial base has been destroyed.”
The American military official explained that Central Command is continuing its field preparations in parallel with the continuation of negotiations with Iran, pointing out the deployment of more than 50,000 American soldiers within the scope of Central Command operations in the region.
He pointed out that the current developments “provide an opportunity to bring about a historic transformation in the Middle East” by strengthening the integration of allies and partners, considering that Iran “no longer possesses the means to threaten major regional operations or the freedom of air and sea movement of American forces.”
He also said that the recent military operations “nullified 40 years of Iranian military investments within 38 days,” warning at the same time that Tehran may try to quickly rebuild its military capabilities.
Cooper stressed that all American operations against Iran were carried out “in accordance with the law of armed conflict,” stressing that Washington “is not currently engaging in hostile actions against Iran,” with a ceasefire in effect, as he described it.
These statements come in light of the continuing American-Iranian tension despite the current calm, amid American attempts to redraw the region’s balances and reduce Tehran’s military influence through direct strikes, sanctions, and regional alliances.
