Military claims Iran threat reduced, but lawmakers cite economic, regional risks Last updated: May 15, 2026 | 07:27 U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit rappel out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk during scheduled training aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7). Tripoli is one of more than 20 warships supporting the U.S. blockade against Iran. Since the start of the blockade, CENTCOM forces have redirected 72 commercial ships, and disabled 4. @CentCom | X Washington: The Trump administration’s Iran campaign came under intense scrutiny at a Senate hearing, with US military commanders claiming Tehran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded even as lawmakers warned of rising economic and regional risks. Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Admiral Charles Cooper II defended Operation Epic Fury and said US forces had successfully crippled Iran’s ability to project military power across the Middle East.…