Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, providing updates on Iran's military capabilities and changes to military operations oversight.

Cooper told lawmakers that Iran now represents a "significantly degraded threat," though he noted the country retains some military capabilities. The admiral reported that U.S. forces have destroyed more than 90 percent of Iran's inventory of 8,000 naval mines, suggesting a substantial reduction in Iran's ability to threaten maritime operations in the region.

During questioning by Senator Jack Reed, Cooper acknowledged that Iran's hold on strategic waterways has weakened, though he indicated that threats from the country persist. The admiral's assessment suggests ongoing U.S. military operations have significantly impacted Iran's naval infrastructure and capabilities.

In separate testimony, Cooper confirmed that Central Command's office focused on civilian harm reduction has been dramatically downsized from 10 employees to just one person. This revelation came amid questions about military operations and follows recent deadly incidents in the region.

The hearing provided lawmakers with insights into current U.S. military assessments of regional threats and operational changes within Central Command's structure. Cooper's testimony covered both strategic assessments of adversary capabilities and internal organizational adjustments within the military command.