CENTCOM Chief Recommended Halting Hormuz Strikes After Campaign Reached Effectiveness Limit: Report

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper advised ending the bombing campaign near the Strait of Hormuz, deeming further strikes ineffective, according to an Axios report citing sources familiar with the matter. Cooper's assessment reportedly played a role in President Donald Trump's decision to pause U.S. strikes against Iran.

The sources indicated that Cooper informed officials that two weeks of U.S. military operations had significantly degraded Iran's capacity to target shipping in and around the critical Strait of Hormuz. Most identified targets had already been struck during what was known as Operation Epic Fury.

Cooper reportedly argued that continuing the same level of strikes would offer limited value without a decision to escalate into major combat operations. The remaining options were either to resume large-scale combat to hit the final 20% of identified targets or to cease the current bombing campaign. The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital global energy route, and military activities in the region have heightened concerns about threats to commercial shipping and overall stability.