Israeli media reports said that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper sent a message to senior Israeli military officials and prominent figures in the U.S. administration, expressing support for resuming military operations against Iran.
According to the report, Cooper believes that launching a third round of strikes could push Tehran to back down from its positions. He also suggested that what he described as victory over Iran could be strengthened through attacks targeting infrastructure sites, bridges, power plants, and economic facilities.
He was quoted as saying: “Victory over Iran can be reinforced with a wave of attacks on infrastructure sites, bridges, power plants, and the economy.”
An earlier report, citing informed political sources, said Cooper had presented a similar proposal during a visit to Israel, where he attended a meeting of the Israeli military’s highest operational forum.
During the meeting, Cooper reportedly spoke of a strong possibility that the United States would have to resume fighting, stressing that Washington would need Israel’s support in carrying out joint military strikes.
Cooper Oversees U.S. Military Operations in the Middle East
Brad Cooper oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East and directs operations related to the war against Iran from CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida.
Cooper previously described the U.S. military campaign, known as “Operation Epic Fury,” as “unpredictable, dynamic, and decisive.”
During a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran in April, Cooper said the U.S. military continued to adjust its methods and tactics throughout the suspension of fighting.
The United States and Iran subsequently exchanged further strikes between July 8 and July 24.
In the middle of that month, Cooper said the latest U.S. military action had followed a series of Iranian attacks targeting commercial vessels and neighboring Gulf countries.
These developments come amid continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for transporting oil and natural gas, as disagreements persist between Tehran and Washington over maritime security and arrangements governing control of the strait.
