According to US Admiral, Iran still holds dominance over Hormuz

US Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, along with General Dagvin Anderson from US Africa Command, provided assessments at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing titled "Conflict with Iran and military readiness in Africa."

During the session, Admiral Cooper announced that more than 1,450 airstrikes have been conducted by the US and Israel against Iran's defense infrastructure. He shared information that as a result of these operations, 85 percent of Iran's ballistic missile, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and maritime industries have been destroyed. Cooper stated that the reconstruction of the Iranian navy could take "nearly a generation," and that its UAV and missile production capacity would not reach its former levels for many years.

However, Cooper noted that despite all these losses, control over the Strait of Hormuz remains in Iran's hands. "Iran's ability to block trade through the straits has significantly diminished, but the voice of the threat they pose remains loud, and these warnings are felt particularly in the trade and insurance sectors," he said.

Admiral Cooper also mentioned that US forces have destroyed the vast majority of Iran's 8,000 naval mines, thereby largely preventing the risk of mines being placed in the strait. Nevertheless, he pointed out that Iran still possesses limited capabilities that could pose a potential threat to ships.

Regarding a question from committee members about the option of the US reopening the Strait of Hormuz by military force, he limited his response to stating that this decision is left to politicians.

Stating that although a ceasefire was recently achieved, the US blockade of Iranian ports and the conflicts between the two countries continue, Cooper said, "The ceasefire made on April 7 is still in effect." He did not share any date regarding the withdrawal schedule of US troops from the region.

When Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, who took the floor at the committee, asked whether China and Russia were providing intelligence support to Iran, Cooper did not respond, saying that this matter required confidentiality.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine emphasized that the Department of Defense has not shared with Congress the legal opinion justifying the authority for military operations against Iran to US President Donald Trump, stating, "They are applying for us to approve a 1.5 trillion dollar budget, but they are not allowing us to examine the legal justification for the war. If there is nothing secret, why don't they show it?"

Meanwhile, according to reports in the US press, the US Department of Defense recently informed members of Congress that the cost of the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran has risen from 25 billion dollars last month to 29 billion dollars.

News Source: 12punto