WASHINGTON: US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper has forcefully defended the administration’s Iran war strategy during a tense House hearing, where he clashed with Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton over the course of the conflict.
Cooper, who oversees US military operations in the region, faced sharp questioning from Moulton, a former US Marine, who accused Washington of failing to “actually win this war”.
With all due respect, the CENTCOM commander should be able to explain why we’ve been asking Americans to die in this war. pic.twitter.com/sSdIru1eHI
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) May 19, 2026
“We don’t have a nuclear deal. We don’t have the Strait of Hormuz open,” Moulton said, arguing that the war effort was faltering and “doesn’t seem to be going well”, while also questioning “how many more Americans we have to ask to die for this mistake”.
The exchange grew increasingly heated when Moulton pressed further on US strategy, suggesting the United States appeared to be on the back foot in the ongoing conflict.
Cooper, usually noted for his composed tone, responded sharply, rejecting the remarks as inappropriate. “I think that is an entirely inappropriate statement from you,” he said, visibly frustrated.
The confrontation underscored growing political divisions in Washington over the direction and costs of the Iran conflict.
