New details about US Iran naval strikes reveal that American forces have destroyed more than 30 Iranian ships during the ongoing conflict.
The update came from Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command’s naval forces, during a joint briefing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Officials said the operations have significantly reduced Iran’s missile and drone attacks across the region.
Nearly 200 Targets Hit in Iran
Admiral Cooper said U.S. forces have struck nearly 200 targets inside Iran during the past 72 hours.
Those targets included key military infrastructure and command centers tied to Iran’s strategic operations.
One of the facilities destroyed was described as Iran’s equivalent of U.S. Space Command.
Information about regional military operations is provided by U.S. Central Command.
Missile and Drone Attacks Fall Sharply
According to the briefing, Iranian missile launches have dropped dramatically since the beginning of the war.
Ballistic missile attacks have fallen by about 90 percent compared with the first day of fighting.
Drone attacks have also declined by approximately 83 percent, Cooper said.
Defense officials say the drop reflects the impact of targeted strikes against launch sites, storage depots, and command systems.
Updates about U.S. defense operations are published by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Iranian Naval Fleet Hit Hard
American forces have also targeted Iran’s naval assets during the campaign.
Cooper said U.S. operations have sunk more than 30 Iranian ships so far. Earlier reports had estimated 24 vessels destroyed.
Among the most recent strikes was an attack on a large Iranian drone carrier.
The vessel, which Cooper said was roughly the size of a World War II aircraft carrier, was reportedly still burning at the time of the briefing.
Naval Power Shifts in the Region
Military analysts say the destruction of Iranian ships could significantly weaken Tehran’s ability to project power in the Persian Gulf.
Iran’s navy plays a central role in protecting shipping lanes and conducting missile and drone operations from sea.
U.S. officials say disabling those capabilities has helped reduce threats to American forces and regional allies.
Conflict Continues Across the Middle East
The briefing comes as fighting between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues across several fronts.
In recent days, missile strikes, drone attacks, and naval clashes have been reported across the Middle East.
While U.S. officials say Iranian attacks have decreased, defense leaders caution that the conflict is still ongoing and conditions could change rapidly.
For now, commanders say the military campaign is continuing to target Iran’s remaining offensive capabilities.