LIVE: Adm. Brad Cooper Testifies Before House Committee on Iran War

Why It Matters

Because the operation’s claimed successes shape U.S. credibility and affect global oil supplies, Congress’s scrutiny forces a clearer strategy on Iran’s nuclear threat and regional stability, while also influencing resource allocation for African counter‑terrorism.

Key Takeaways

• Admiral Cooper claims 85% of Iran’s missile, drone, naval assets destroyed
• Critics question actual impact on Iran’s nuclear program and missile inventory
• Operation Epic Fury closed Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil flow
• US emphasizes alliances with Israel, Gulf states, NATO amid Chinese, Russian aid
• Committee demands clear strategy to reopen Hormuz and counter African terrorism

Summary

The House Armed Services Committee held a live hearing where Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, testified about the recently concluded Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. campaign aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and pressuring Tehran over its nuclear ambitions.

Cooper asserted that within 38 days the operation “rolled back 40 years of Iranian military investment,” destroying more than 85% of Iran’s ballistic‑missile, drone and naval industrial base and crippling its ability to stockpile weapons. He highlighted the blockade of Iranian ports, the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, and the economic damage to Tehran’s oil revenue as leverage for diplomatic negotiations. The testimony also stressed the role of allies—Israel, Gulf states, Jordan, and NATO—in providing basing and over‑flight support.

Lawmakers pushed back, noting that the exact reduction in Iran’s missile inventory remains unknown and that the operation did not affect the country’s nuclear material. Critics cited the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the lack of progress in nuclear talks, and the risk of Chinese and Russian assistance to Iran. The hearing also referenced a recent AFRICOM raid in Nigeria that killed ISIS’s global director of operations, underscoring the parallel focus on terrorism in Africa.

The exchange underscores the tension between a high‑profile military narrative and congressional demand for measurable outcomes. With global oil markets sensitive to Hormuz disruptions and U.S. credibility on the line, the committee is urging a concrete strategy to reopen the strait, sustain pressure on Iran’s nuclear program, and allocate sufficient resources to counterterrorism efforts across Africa.

Original Description

Watch live as Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, appears before the House Armed Services Committee, where he is expected to face questions about the Iran war.

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