U.S. Military Operations Against Iran Reach Turning Point
On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shared a significant operational update regarding its ongoing military activities against Iran, signaling a pivotal moment in the campaign.
Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, noted that U.S. forces have targeted over 5,500 locations throughout Iran, successfully destroying more than 60 naval vessels.
“So far, we’ve utilized various precision weapon systems to hit more than 5,500 targets in Iran, including 60 warships. Notably, we’ve eliminated the last of the four Soleimani-class battleships, which effectively removes the Iranian fleet from the equation,” said Cooper.
This update was delivered at 12:30 p.m. PT, following what Army Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled as the “heaviest day of attack” the U.S. has experienced so far.
A key development from the past day is the complete removal of certain ship classes in the Iranian Navy. According to Cooper, Iran’s capacity to extend its influence in the Persian Gulf has been significantly weakened by “waves of shock” occurring nearly every hour.
Furthermore, the U.S. confirmed the destruction of the last of the Iranian Shahid Soleimani-class battleships on Tuesday.
In response to intelligence indicating mine-laying activities in the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM adjusted its naval tactics and began actively targeting these operations.
Reports from U.S. intelligence suggest that Iran has already deployed various types of mines— from basic contact mines to more advanced impact varieties—using fast-attack aircraft that are tricky to monitor.
These ships typically operate in groups, with each carrying two to three mines, enabling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) to quickly disrupt maritime lanes in a heavily trafficked region.
This focus on mine combat follows a recent ultimatum from President Donald Trump to Tehran, demanding an immediate cessation of such activities, coupled with a warning of unprecedented military consequences if the Strait remains obstructed.
While the U.S. employs advanced surveillance and precision strike methods akin to those from recent counternarcotics efforts in the Caribbean to neutralize these minelayers, the danger remains substantial.
Experts suggest that Iran still possesses about 80% to 90% of its small vessels and holds a stockpile of 2,000 to 6,000 mines. Even a limited number of active mines could increase maritime insurance costs and potentially close the strait, disrupting around 20% of the global oil and liquefied natural gas flow that traverses the area daily.
The current Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, combines cutting-edge AI data classification tools that allow commanders to process data rapidly. Yet, according to CENTCOM, Admiral Cooper emphasized that human operators are the ultimate decision-makers in each attack.
“Our offense is unpredictable, dynamic, and decisive,” Cooper remarked. “We have achieved air superiority over expansive regions of Iran, and the Iranian regime’s ability to launch ballistic missiles has been curtailed by roughly 90%.”
On Wednesday, CENTCOM also issued an urgent directive advising Iranian civilians to avoid all port facilities. The U.S. warned that ports utilized for military purposes no longer retain their “protected status” under international law. Longshoremen were advised to stay clear of Revolutionary Guard naval assets.
In statements from Washington, President Trump expressed confidence, stating that the war might end “soon” and asserting that relentless bombing left Iranian forces with “virtually nothing left to target.”
In retaliation, Iran has launched sporadic drone and missile strikes against Gulf states hosting U.S. assets, while global energy prices fluctuate as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to commercial traffic.
In a move to stabilize international energy markets, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that its 32 member countries, including the U.S., would release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves.
