US CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper tells Iran International that the Islamic regime intensified strikes on civilian targets as its military capabilities decline and pressure mounts in the conflict.
Iran has increased its targeting of civilian sites across the Middle East out of "desperation," US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper told London-based anti-regime outlet Iran International on Sunday.
"They're operating in a sign of desperation... In the last couple of weeks, they've attacked civilian targets very deliberately, more than 300 times," Cooper said, noting that Iran's military capabilities have deteriorated since operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury began on February 28.
The strain on the regime has forced it to reduce the volume of attacks on its neighbors and Israel, Cooper said.
"At the beginning of the conflict, you saw large volumes in the dozens of drones and missiles. You no longer see that. It's all one or two at a time," he told Iran International's Samira Gharaei.
Cooper: Hormuz strait 'physically open to transit'
The US and its allies are working to secure shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, Cooper said.
In order to do so, the militaries have been weakening Iran's naval capabilities, including sinking or severely damaging approximately 140 vessels since the operation began, he told the outlet.
"The Strait of Hormuz is physically open to transit. The reason ships are not transiting right now is because the Islamic Republic is shooting at them with drones and missiles," Cooper told Iran International.
US President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that the US could strike Iran's power plants within 48 hours if the strait is not fully opened.
