Admiral Says Bombing Strait of Hormuz Is Like Using a Hammer to Fix a Screen Door
KEY POINTS
- •Admiral Brad Cooper recommended stopping bombing the Strait of Hormuz after two weeks of limited success.
- •President Trump debated resuming strikes but ultimately paused attacks on Friday following military advice.
- •Iran and Oman negotiate to reopen the strait while the U.S. considers talks and coalitions to protect shipping.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the U.S. CENTCOM boss in the Middle East, finally admitted the two-week Operation Epic Fury bombing spree around the Strait of Hormuz has done all it’s gonna do — aka mostly exhaust the targets and degrade Iran's naval temper tantrums. Despite Trump's initial eagerness to reload the airstrikes, his Thursday mood swing (yes, mood swing) led to the Friday order to 'hold fire.' The Joint Chiefs' Gen. Dan Caine warned about an interceptor shortage, like a superhero missing their cape, making defense ‘iffy.’ Meanwhile, Iran and Oman attempt a diplomatic squeeze play to reopen the strait quietly, though Trump's hot/cold diplomatic flirting leaves everyone guessing. CENTCOM’s spokesman? Classic military silence: 'No comment.'
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(1 of 3)When you've blasted nearly every bomb target but decide to hit pause, you know the military equivalent of binge-watching horror movies is over.
Trump flipped the switch on Hormuz alarms faster than a group chat argument about pineapple on pizza.
Turns out punishing Iran ship styles via airpower works about as well as a Groupon on world peace.
Source: Axios | Published: 7/26/2026 | Author: Barak Ravid
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