Command decisions: CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper's ups and downs in shaping Trump's war on Iran

The Jerusalem Post reveals the major impact of CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper on US military strategy toward Iran, including his role in the Strait of Hormuz conflict, a secret call to IDF Chief Zamir to eliminate IRGC Navy chief Tangsiri, and debates over operational decisions during the 2026 war.

The Jerusalem Post reveals the significant role of US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper in shaping American military strategy toward Iran during the 2026 war. The article details Cooper's influence on key decisions, including the Strait of Hormuz conflict, where Iran's closure of the strait for much of 2026 has been a major challenge for the Trump administration. The Post discloses that Iran's early claims of mining the strait were mostly fictitious, with no ships damaged by sea mines, and that Iran did not deploy mines before the April 7 initial ceasefire. A key revelation is Cooper's secret call to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir around March 19, requesting the elimination of IRGC Navy chief Alireza Tangsiri, whom Israel assassinated on March 26. The article notes that Cooper viewed this as a preemptive move to head off a future strategic problem. It also discusses debates over operational strategy, with Gen. Kenneth Franklin McKenzie Jr. suggesting alternatives like seizing Kharg Island, though constraints from Trump limited options. Cooper is credited with success in the June 2025 war and early 2026 operations, but questions remain about the war's results as criticized by the American public.