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The U.S. military said Wednesday it has carried out more than 10,000 strikes against Iranian targets since launching Operation Epic Fury nearly four weeks ago, marking a major milestone in the campaign.
U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said in an operational update posted on X that the campaign remains “on plan or ahead of plan” in its objective of limiting Iran’s ability to project power beyond its borders.
Cooper said U.S. precision strikes have “overwhelmed Iranian air defenses,” producing what he described as “tangible effects.” He added that ongoing combat flights over Iran are degrading Tehran’s capacity to attack U.S. forces and regional allies.
According to Cooper, U.S. strikes have destroyed or disabled about 92 percent of Iran’s largest naval vessels, sharply reduced the country’s drone and missile launch rates by more than 90 percent, and damaged or destroyed more than two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone and naval production facilities and shipyards.
More than 50,000 U.S. troops are involved in the operation, and the campaign has included over 10,000 combat sorties. Cooper praised the role of long-range B-52 bombers and said U.S. forces have maintained air superiority throughout the conflict.
Iran has continued to retaliate with missile and drone attacks across the region. Barrages have struck Israeli territory and targeted U.S. and allied facilities in the Middle East since the war began Feb. 28.
Iranian attacks have hit residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure in Israel. One missile strike on March 1 killed at least nine civilians, and more than 4,000 people in Israel have been reported injured during the conflict.
Retaliatory strikes have also reached U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities in Gulf states. Drone attacks have caused minor damage to U.S. Embassy buildings, and missiles have crossed regional airspace while damaging infrastructure.
U.S. officials have reported at least 13 American service members killed and over 200 wounded since the campaign began. Most of those wounded have returned to duty.
The conflict has also had significant economic consequences, particularly for global energy markets. Iranian warnings and military activity effectively halted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.