CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper delivered a sweeping update on Operation Epic Fury, declaring that U.S. forces have struck more than 8,000 military targets in just 22 days of combat against Iran’s regime. Among the most dramatic achievements outlined in his briefing was the destruction of 130 Iranian vessels, which he described as the largest elimination of a navy over a three-week period since World War II. The scope of the operation underscores the intensity of the campaign ordered by President Donald Trump and the scale of American military power now being brought to bear in the region.

Launched on February 28, 2026, Operation Epic Fury was designed to neutralize imminent Iranian threats, dismantle the regime’s security apparatus, and secure vital waterways including the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper said the campaign has already achieved major degradation of Iran’s military capabilities, with U.S. forces flying more than 8,000 combat sorties and establishing air superiority over key battle zones. The operation has also featured a record-long artillery strike, reflecting the broad range of force being used to break Iran’s ability to project power.

A central objective of the campaign has been to eliminate Iran’s naval and missile capacity before it can be used against U.S. forces, Israel, or regional partners. The destruction of 130 vessels marks a severe blow to Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and destabilize one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Supporters of the operation argue that this level of sustained military pressure is necessary to restore deterrence and prevent the regime from regrouping after years of aggression through direct attacks and proxy warfare.

The campaign has not come without sacrifice or cost. At least seven U.S. service members have been reported killed during the operation, a reminder that even overwhelming battlefield success carries a human toll. The conflict has also placed strain on military resources and has intensified concern over energy markets, as disruptions tied to Iran’s actions continue to threaten oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Even so, Admiral Cooper’s update projects confidence that the operation is delivering historic results and severely weakening the Iranian regime’s military backbone. For the Trump administration and its supporters, Epic Fury stands as proof that decisive force can achieve what diplomacy and restraint could not. The message from CENTCOM is direct: the United States is not merely containing Iran’s threat, but systematically destroying the regime’s capacity to wage war.