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The head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is pushing for the resumption of attacks on Iran, including strikes on oil, gas and electricity facilities, to increase pressure on Tehran, Israeli media claimed Thursday.
Israel’s Channel 13, citing unnamed informed political sources, said Adm. Brad Cooper presented the proposal during a visit to Israel last week.
Cooper attended a meeting of the Israeli military’s top operational forum alongside Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior commanders, the broadcaster said.
During the meeting, Cooper called for renewed fighting against Iran and attacks on national infrastructure, including facilities linked to the country’s gas, oil and electricity industries, according to the report.
“Striking infrastructure in Iran will change the rules of the game, will hurt the Iranians badly, and in the current situation they will not change their positions,” Cooper was quoted as saying.
The CENTCOM chief reportedly told Israeli military officials that resuming the fighting could become the only option and that the United States might need to conduct joint strikes with Israel against Iran.
According to the same sources, Cooper also presented his position to U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
The proposal was also conveyed to U.S. President Donald Trump, the report said.
There was no immediate U.S. comment on the Israeli broadcaster’s claims.
The reported proposal comes despite U.S. reports indicating that the likelihood of renewed conflict with Iran has decreased, while Washington has intensified efforts in recent days to end fighting in the region.
In a related development, CENTCOM announced Thursday the establishment of its first multinational attack-drone task force in cooperation with several Middle Eastern countries.
The announcement came as the United States continues to adjust its regional military posture amid the conflict with Iran.
The United States and Iran agreed to a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire in April and later signed a deal on June 17, launching negotiations toward a final agreement.
The talks later stalled over disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic routes for global energy supplies and trade.
Between July 8 and July 24, the United States and Iran exchanged further military strikes, with Washington launching attacks on targets inside Iran.
Tehran responded by striking what it described as U.S. military facilities and equipment in several Arab countries, including Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
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