Admiral Brad Cooper, chief of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), has publicly refuted recent news reports suggesting Iran retains 70% to 75% of its prewar missile and launcher capabilities. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 14, 2026, Admiral Cooper declared these reports "not accurate," asserting that a recent U.S. military operation, "Epic Fury," has severely crippled Iran's ability to project power.
"Adm. Brad Cooper, the chief of U.S. Central Command, knocked down news reports that Iran retains 70% to 75% of its prewar missiles and launchers as 'not accurate'," stated a tweet by Lara Seligman.
According to Admiral Cooper, Operation Epic Fury, launched in late February, achieved its military objectives in less than 40 days. The operation involved over 10,200 sorties and 13,500 strikes, targeting the full spectrum of Iran's power projection capabilities. This extensive campaign resulted in the degradation of Iran's defense industrial base by 90%, with more than 1,450 strikes specifically hitting weapons manufacturing facilities.
CENTCOM's assessment indicates that Iran's conventional missile capacity has been "effectively eliminated," and the nation "can no longer attack with that mass and scale." Admiral Cooper emphasized that Iran would be unable to reconstitute these weapons for years due to the severe damage inflicted on its industrial base. He further noted that Iran now possesses only a "very moderate, if not small, capability to continue strikes."
The operation also significantly impacted Iran's ability to arm and resupply its regional proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas, effectively cutting off these supply chains. While a ceasefire is reportedly "on life support," and concerns persist regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military maintains it has achieved its tactical objectives in degrading Iran's military might. This development marks a significant shift in the regional power dynamics, according to CENTCOM.
