U.S. Deploys 50,000 Troops, 200 Aircraft in Largest Middle East Operation in Decades Against Iran

CENTCOM says U.S.-Israeli forces have struck nearly 2,000 sites as Iran retaliates with missiles and drones

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has revealed that upwards of 50,000 American soldiers, roughly 200 combat aircraft, and two naval carrier groups are actively engaged in coordinated military operations alongside Israel against Iran.

General Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s commanding officer, disclosed these figures in a video statement on Tuesday.

Cooper described the ongoing campaign, now entering its fourth day as the most substantial American military deployment in the Middle East in recent memory.

He noted that combined U.S.-Israeli forces have hit close to 2,000 sites throughout Iran, expending more than 2,000 weapons in the process.

Tehran has mounted a significant counterstrike in response, firing over 500 ballistic missiles and unleashing more than 2,000 drone strikes, according to Cooper.

He also confirmed that U.S. forces have disabled 17 Iranian naval vessels as part of efforts to neutralise the country’s entire naval fleet.

Despite Iran’s retaliatory efforts, Cooper maintained that its capacity to threaten American personnel and regional allies is being steadily degraded.

The conflict erupted after U.S. and Israeli forces launched sweeping strikes on Iran last Saturday, resulting in the deaths of nearly 800 people, among them Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders.

Iran has since retaliated with drone and missile attacks directed at both Israel and Gulf states hosting American military installations.

CENTCOM confirmed that six U.S. servicemen lost their lives and several more were injured following an Iranian strike on a tactical operations center located in Kuwait.