CENTCOM Chief Says U.S.–Israel Strikes Have Sharply Reduced Iran-Backed Threats

Overview

• CENTCOM commander Cooper told senators on Thursday that recent U.S. and Israeli attacks have substantially reduced the threat from Iran and its proxy forces.
• He cited effects on Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran-aligned groups operating from Yemen, framing them as key nodes in Tehran’s regional reach.
• His remarks characterized the operations as coordinated actions that degraded capabilities used to threaten U.S., Israeli, and regional interests.
• The comments were reported in a Washington-datelined Kyodo dispatch that Japanese outlets carried, with some full articles available only to subscribers.
• The statement serves as an official military update to lawmakers and a signal to allies and adversaries that U.S. and Israeli pressure has curbed proxy activity.