CENTCOM Chief: Iran Needs Generation to Restore Navy After US-Israeli Strikes
US Central Command (CENTCOM) Chief Admiral Brad Cooper testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that Iran will require a generation to restore its navy to pre-war levels following recent conflicts with the United States and Israel. Cooper stated that during Operation Epic Fury, the US successfully degraded Iran's defense industrial base by 90 percent, leaving only 10 percent of its capacity for drones, missiles, and naval construction intact. He estimated that recovery would not begin for five to ten years due to the complexity of rebuilding without an industrial foundation. The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, involved US-Israeli strikes that Tehran claims killed 3,375 Iranians over 40 days. Although a two-week ceasefire was announced in April and later extended unilaterally by the US, Tehran has rejected the extension, citing unresolved disagreements from talks in Islamabad. The article highlights the severe long-term strategic impact on Iran's military capabilities as assessed by US leadership, amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions and failed negotiations for a lasting settlement.
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