CENTCOM commander says 8K targets hit in Iran: ‘Their navy is not sailing’

The Hill
by Sophie Brams
March 21, 2026
3 min read

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CENTCOM commander announces U.S. military operations have struck over 8,000 targets in Iran, degrading its naval capabilities.

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CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper announced Saturday that U.S. military operations have struck more than 8,000 targets in Iran since the Middle East conflict began, according to a post on social platform X. Cooper stated the campaign has significantly degraded Iran's combat capabilities and rendered its naval forces ineffective, declaring that "their navy is not sailing." The statement underscores the scale of military pressure the Trump administration has exerted on Iranian military infrastructure as part of its broader Middle East strategy. Cooper's public accounting of strike totals is unusual for ongoing military operations and suggests the administration is messaging strength to regional adversaries and allies alike.

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