Operation EPIC FURY: U.S. Admiral Says 38-Day Campaign Rolled Back 40 Years of Iranian Military Investment
U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper of Central Command testified to lawmakers that Operation EPIC FURY, a 38-day US military operation against Iran, inflicted damage equivalent to rolling back 40 years of Iranian military investment. This represents the most comprehensive public damage assessment of the campaign to date. The operation has significant implications for Iranian military capability, regional security, and associated insurance exposures across energy, marine, and war risk lines. The assessment underscores the scale of US strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.
AI-generated from linked source reports. See our correction policy.
Impact verdict
Medium impact. MEDIUM: High-row recalibration. A large US campaign against Iranian military assets is relevant to War Risk, Energy, Marine and Political Risk underwriting in the Gulf region. Impact is not HIGH on this event alone because the reported losses are military/state assets and no insured commercial asset damage, closure, vessel/cargo loss, or claims estimate is evidenced.
View assessment methodologyHow we grade what we know -- Known · Reported · Uncertain. Methodology →
Intelligence ledger
Each line expands in place to its underlying sourced claim.
Known3 lines
Admiral Brad Cooper of US Central Command delivered testimony to lawmakers on 14 May 2026▾
Operation EPIC FURY lasted 38 days▾
Admiral Cooper stated the operation 'rolled back 40 years of Iranian military investment'▾
Reported2 lines
The assessment represents the most sweeping public statement on damage to Iran from the operation▾
The operation targeted Iranian military assets broadly▾
Uncertain3 lines
Specific targets destroyed or degraded within Operation EPIC FURY are not detailed in the excerpt▾
Whether the operation is concluded or ongoing is not confirmed from the excerpt▾
Extent of Iranian naval, missile, or air defence losses is unspecified▾
Geographic Zone Matches
3 active matches
- JWC Listed AreasRule-basedConfidence 100%
- OFAC Sanctioned CountriesRule-basedConfidence 100%
- EU Sanctions ListRule-basedConfidence 100%
Geographic zone matches are RiskEvents spatial/analytical indicators, not coverage determinations or Lloyd's official classifications.
Affected countries
+12 more
Timeline
BBC Verify analysis of satellite imagery confirms Iranian attacks have damaged at least 20 US military facilities across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman since late February 2026, including THAAD batteries, surveillance aircraft, fuel storage, and hangars. The Pentagon estimates total Operation Epic Fury costs at $29bn, with significant repair/replacement costs for destroyed equipment including F-15s, F-35s, MQ-9 drones, and an E-3 Sentry aircraft. The confirmed physical damage to named military and dual-use infrastructure across multiple JWC-listed areas has direct implications for War Risk, Aviation, and Energy books in the London market.
Source: BBC World (Mainstream Media) · View source
Lifecycle changed
monitoring → closed
Event Closed
auto_closed_monitoring_timeout
CENTCOM confirmed US forces conducted 'self-defense' strikes on targets in southern Iran, including missile launch sites and Iranian vessels reportedly preparing to lay mines. Iranian media reported 3 killed in strikes on vessels near Lark Island in the Persian Gulf. Explosions were also heard in the port areas of Sirik and Jask on Iran's southern coast.
Source: Anadolu Agency (Turkish) (Wire Service) · View source
US Central Command conducted strikes on missile sites in southern Iran and targeted boats allegedly attempting to lay mines, while Iranian negotiators held talks with Qatar's prime minister in Doha. Markets responded with oil price volatility, with Brent crude swinging nearly $5 before partial recovery. Israel simultaneously escalated strikes in Lebanon, broadening the regional conflict picture.
Source: The Guardian World (Mainstream Media) · View source
Impact changed
high → medium
Status changed to monitoring
Auto-transitioned: no updates for 6 hours
US President Donald Trump issued a warning that he would not 'be much more patient' with Iran, urging Tehran to reach a deal with Washington. The statement comes amid ongoing US military operations against Iran under Operation EPIC FURY and stalled nuclear/peace negotiations. The liveblog format suggests this is part of ongoing Middle East developments spanning multiple actors and flashpoints.
Source: France 24 English (Mainstream Media) · View source
Impact escalated to high
Impact changed from medium to high based on new source intelligence
US President Donald Trump signalled on Thursday that military operations against Iran could continue, with expectations of a US military move following his return from China. Reports indicate ongoing Israeli-American consultations about resuming the war against Iran. The development represents a potential escalation of the existing US-Iran military confrontation.
Source: Al Jazeera Arabic (Mainstream Media) · View source
Status changed to developing
Auto-promoted: multiple corroborating sources
Lloyd's classifications
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