US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran has launched more than 2,500 missiles and drones since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury.
The statement was delivered by US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper in a video update released yesterday, marking the fourth day of what the Pentagon has described as its largest military build-up in the Middle East in decades.
According to Admiral Cooper, Iranian forces have relied heavily on missile and drone attacks since the start of the operation, while US and Israeli forces have carried out widespread strikes against Iranian military infrastructure.
“In simple terms, we’re focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us,” Admiral Cooper said.
Nearly 2,000 Iranian Targets Hit
CENTCOM reported that in less than 100 hours, US and Israeli forces struck close to 2,000 military targets inside Iran, using more than 2,000 munitions. The strikes targeted missile launch sites, drone facilities, air defense systems, and command centers.
Admiral Cooper said Iranian air defenses have been significantly weakened, with hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones destroyed during the campaign.
“Our overall operational assessment is that we are ahead of our game plan,” he said.
Naval and Air Capabilities Degraded
The CENTCOM commander also stated that Iranian naval assets have been heavily impacted. He said 17 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed, including what he described as the country’s most operational submarine. As a result, he said Iran currently has no active naval presence in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, or the Gulf of Oman.
“We are sinking the Iranian Navy,” Admiral Cooper said, adding that operations are still ongoing.
Iran’s Retaliation Continues
Despite the losses, Iran has continued to retaliate. Admiral Cooper said Tehran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and over 2,000 drones since the operation began, accusing Iran of deliberately targeting civilian areas.
CENTCOM said Iran’s ability to strike US forces and regional partners is steadily declining, even as US combat power in the region continues to grow.
Emerging Capabilities
Admiral Cooper highlighted the first-ever combat use of US Army Long Range Precision Strike Missiles, as well as large-scale one‑way drone attacks carried out by a CENTCOM drone task force.
He said the mission remains focused on dismantling Iran’s ability to threaten US forces and allies across the region.
The update comes as hostilities expand across multiple domains, including air, sea, and cyber operations, marking one of the most intense periods of direct confrontation between Iran, the United States, and Israel in recent history.
Post Image Credit: CENTCOM.
