In a video update, the head of US Central Command said the American and Israeli militaries had ‘eliminated’ Iran’s military capabilities.
CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said: ‘We set out to eliminate the Iranian regime’s ability to project power beyond its borders, and we have clearly accomplished that mission. Iran suffered a military defeat that lasted for generations.
‘The US and Israel systematically destroyed Iran’s ability to conduct large-scale military operations for years to come.’
He added: ‘Iran’s conventional military capacity, built over 40 years with billions of dollars, has been eliminated.’
The senior military officer said: ‘US forces have paused offensive operations in accordance with the ongoing ceasefire, after successfully conducting more than 13,000 strikes on Iranian military targets and flying thousands of combat flights.
‘But we remain present, alert and ready if called,’ he says, adding that the American military continues to ‘stand shoulder to shoulder with our regional partners to maintain the most advanced and largest active air defense umbrella in the world.’
