Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), announced on Thursday the successful completion of strategic military goals under Operation Epic Fury, a joint offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran that commenced on February 28, 2026.
"The systematic dismantling of Iran's ability to conduct large-scale operations for years to come has been achieved by the U.S. and Israel. Iran's conventional military capabilities, which took four decades and billions of dollars to build, have been obliterated," Admiral Cooper stated.
Cooper further emphasized, "While U.S. forces have paused offensive operations in line with the ongoing ceasefire, we remain vigilant and fully prepared should the need arise."
The senior officer highlighted that in under 40 days, U.S. forces effectively dismantled the military infrastructure Iran had developed over more than forty years. This was accomplished through over 13,000 strikes on Iranian military targets and thousands of combat missions.
"Our objective was to dismantle the Iranian regime's power projection beyond its borders. We have undoubtedly succeeded in this mission, delivering a generational military defeat to Iran," he declared.
His remarks came just one day after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that all objectives of the operation had been achieved, coinciding with the ceasefire announced on Wednesday by Trump.
Alongside the military announcement, formal negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled for April 10 in Islamabad.
Frequently Asked Questions About the U.S. Military Operation Against Iran
What was Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury was a joint military offensive by the United States and Israel aimed at dismantling Iran's military capabilities.
How many military strikes were conducted during the operation?
Over 13,000 strikes were carried out against Iranian military targets.
When are the U.S.-Iran negotiations set to take place?
Formal negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled for April 10 in Islamabad.