CENTCOM Chief Says Iran Campaign 'Ahead of Plan'; Civilian Targeting a 'Sign of Desperation'

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper told Iran International that US forces are 'ahead or on plan' in dismantling Iran's military power projection capabilities. Cooper assessed Iran's deliberate targeting of civilian sites across the Middle East — more than 300 times in recent weeks — as a sign of desperation as its conventional capacity degrades. He noted a significant tactical shift: early-war salvos of dozens of missiles and drones have collapsed to one or two at a time. Cooper stated top Iranian military leaders remain 'in deep bunkers' while frontline forces absorb continued US and Israeli strikes.