IRAN STRIKES: CENTCOM Chief Pushes For Renewed Attacks On Key Infrastructure

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper is advocating for renewed military strikes on Iran, telling senior Israeli military commanders that attacks on Iranian infrastructure could shift Tehran's strategic position, according to Channel 13. Cooper visited Israel over the past week and met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, senior generals and other commanders in an operational forum. He argued that military operations against Iran should resume and that strikes should focus on national infrastructure, including facilities in the country's gas, oil and electricity sectors.

"Striking infrastructure in Iran will change the rules of the game, hurt the Iranians badly, and in the current situation they will not change their positions," Cooper told the Israeli officers. He has also raised this position with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, and the same view was conveyed to President Donald Trump. Cooper told senior IDF officials that there is a significant possibility the U.S. May need to resume fighting and would require Israel for joint strikes.

The push comes despite recent American pressure to close active fronts. CENTCOM separately announced the establishment of a multinational attack-drone force involving the United States and several regional partners. Tensions with Tehran remain elevated. An Iranian official told Reuters that no discussions are underway to extend the ceasefire with the United States, contending that from Iran's perspective it never truly began because Washington violated it 48 hours after it was reached and formally withdrew several days later. A Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman said the Islamabad memorandum of understanding remains a signed agreement despite not yet being implemented, adding that the 60-day period is nearing expiration with five days remaining, and that Pakistan hopes the deadline can be extended if negotiations resume.