CENTCOM's Brad Cooper Provides Update on Operation Epic Fury | WATCH
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reveals staggering new figures in the conflict with Iran. Admiral Brad Cooper reports 130 vessels destroyed, marking the largest naval elimination since WWII.
The Trump administration said Saturday that American forces have inflicted massive damage on Iran, striking more than 8,000 military targets and destroying 130 Iranian vessels since the current campaign began.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the update on X, writing that “the U.S. military is decimating the terrorist Iranian regime.” She quoted Admiral Brad Cooper, who described the destruction of Iran’s navy as “the largest elimination of a navy over a three-week period since World War II.”
The announcement comes as the conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Earlier Friday, Iran claimed a joint U.S.-Israeli strike hit the Natanz nuclear facility, and Tehran launched two ballistic missiles toward the U.S.-UK base at Diego Garcia (both failed or were intercepted).
The White House has not released maps, footage, or independent verification of the exact target count. Pentagon officials have described the figures as part of ongoing assessments.
The developments coincide with reports that the Pentagon is preparing contingency plans for possible ground troop deployment in Iran, though President Trump and the White House have repeatedly said no such decision has been made.