US Admiral Brad Cooper has rejected reports suggesting that Iran continues to maintain large parts of its missile capabilities despite the joint US-Israeli war launched in late February.
"What I would say, from my perspective, is the numbers that I've seen in open source are not accurate," Cooper, who heads the regional command CENTCOM responsible for the Middle East, said during a hearing in Congress on Thursday.
Several media outlets previously reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Iran still possessed around 70 to 75% of its mobile launchers and 70% of its missile arsenal.
Cooper said assessing Iran's military capabilities was about "more than just the numbers."
"It's the command and control that's been shattered. It's a significant degradation and capability, and it's the lack of any ability to then produce any missiles or drones on the back end. I think we have to take a holistic look at that, and that's what we've done."
James Adams, director of the DIA military intelligence service, previously admitted in Congress that Iran's stockpiles continue to be significant.
Although Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened by the US-Israeli airstrikes, Tehran still possesses thousands of missiles and combat drones, posing a threat to the United States and its allies in the region, he said.
