1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:14,770 --> 00:00:17,139 Well , good afternoon . I'm , I'm 3 00:00:17,139 --> 00:00:19,028 honored to stand right here today 4 00:00:19,028 --> 00:00:21,028 alongside one of America's finest , 5 00:00:21,100 --> 00:00:23,299 Admiral Brad Cooper , commander of US 6 00:00:23,299 --> 00:00:25,466 Central Command . We just had a chance 7 00:00:25,466 --> 00:00:27,577 to spend a couple of hours together , 8 00:00:27,577 --> 00:00:29,410 better part of two hours , going 9 00:00:29,410 --> 00:00:31,410 through the entirety of this , uh , 10 00:00:31,410 --> 00:00:33,577 this operation , Operation Epic Fury , 11 00:00:33,577 --> 00:00:35,743 and Admiral , I wanna thank you , uh , 12 00:00:35,743 --> 00:00:35,340 for everything you do in your 13 00:00:35,340 --> 00:00:37,173 incredible leadership , for your 14 00:00:37,173 --> 00:00:39,062 dynamic thinking , the way you're 15 00:00:39,062 --> 00:00:41,062 attacking this problem set on every 16 00:00:41,062 --> 00:00:43,229 level . In just days of Operation Epic 17 00:00:43,229 --> 00:00:45,451 Fury , you and your team have delivered 18 00:00:45,451 --> 00:00:47,618 nothing short of devastating , precise 19 00:00:47,630 --> 00:00:50,029 strikes , taking out . The better part 20 00:00:50,029 --> 00:00:51,918 of Iran's navy , making it combat 21 00:00:51,918 --> 00:00:53,862 ineffective , neutralizing missile 22 00:00:53,862 --> 00:00:56,029 sites and launchers , and establishing 23 00:00:56,189 --> 00:00:58,500 total dominance over the skies we fly 24 00:00:58,500 --> 00:01:01,029 over and seas we fly over . Our forces 25 00:01:01,029 --> 00:01:03,540 are executing with unmatched skill , 26 00:01:03,950 --> 00:01:06,410 and the mission is advancing decisively . 27 00:01:06,870 --> 00:01:09,230 This is the kind of no-nonsense results 28 00:01:09,230 --> 00:01:11,209 driven war fighting that America 29 00:01:11,709 --> 00:01:14,430 demands . And you're delivering it in 30 00:01:14,430 --> 00:01:16,669 spades . You are the man for this 31 00:01:16,669 --> 00:01:19,150 moment . Admiral Cooper , on behalf of 32 00:01:19,150 --> 00:01:21,372 the president , the Department of War , 33 00:01:21,372 --> 00:01:23,483 and every American watching , I wanna 34 00:01:23,483 --> 00:01:25,650 thank you for your outstanding job you 35 00:01:25,650 --> 00:01:27,761 and CEO are doing . Keep pressing the 36 00:01:27,761 --> 00:01:30,094 fight . And we are with you all the way . 37 00:01:30,339 --> 00:01:32,561 A few thoughts before I hand it over to 38 00:01:32,561 --> 00:01:35,129 the Admiral for an update . Iran is 39 00:01:35,129 --> 00:01:38,239 hoping . That we cannot sustain this . 40 00:01:39,559 --> 00:01:42,019 Which is a really bad miscalculation 41 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:45,699 for the IRGC in Iran . You see , 42 00:01:46,029 --> 00:01:48,085 there's no shortage of American will 43 00:01:48,085 --> 00:01:51,830 here . We remember and honor our fallen . 44 00:01:52,230 --> 00:01:54,286 Those 6 that we will soon welcome at 45 00:01:54,286 --> 00:01:56,870 Dover , who gave everything for their 46 00:01:56,870 --> 00:01:58,981 country in this mission , we remember 47 00:01:58,981 --> 00:02:01,010 them . But we remember them by 48 00:02:01,010 --> 00:02:03,569 rededicating ourselves even more 49 00:02:03,569 --> 00:02:06,010 fervently to this mission . Our 50 00:02:06,010 --> 00:02:09,350 commitment to our mission objectives 51 00:02:09,610 --> 00:02:12,770 only increases as our advantages 52 00:02:12,770 --> 00:02:15,779 continue to increase . We've got no 53 00:02:15,779 --> 00:02:17,946 shortage of munitions . Our stockpiles 54 00:02:17,946 --> 00:02:20,250 of defensive and offensive weapons 55 00:02:20,259 --> 00:02:22,820 allow us to sustain this campaign as 56 00:02:22,820 --> 00:02:25,020 long as we need to . Again , our 57 00:02:25,020 --> 00:02:28,320 munition status only increases as our 58 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,500 advantage increases . Our 59 00:02:31,500 --> 00:02:35,059 capabilities We have only just 60 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,339 begun to fight and fight decisively , 61 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:40,496 having a chance to hear from Admiral 62 00:02:40,496 --> 00:02:42,399 Cooper . If you think you've seen 63 00:02:42,399 --> 00:02:44,889 something , just wait . The amount of 64 00:02:44,889 --> 00:02:46,889 combat power that's still flowing , 65 00:02:46,889 --> 00:02:48,889 that's still coming , that we'll be 66 00:02:48,889 --> 00:02:51,089 able to project over Iran . Is a 67 00:02:51,089 --> 00:02:53,311 multiples of what it currently is right 68 00:02:53,311 --> 00:02:55,367 now when you add up our capabilities 69 00:02:55,367 --> 00:02:57,809 and those of the Israeli Defense Forces . 70 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:00,917 And we have no shortage of authorities . 71 00:03:00,970 --> 00:03:02,748 The admiral knows we have clear 72 00:03:02,748 --> 00:03:05,130 objectives . With maximum authorities 73 00:03:05,130 --> 00:03:07,460 on the battlefield . The dumb 74 00:03:07,460 --> 00:03:09,516 politically correct wars of the past 75 00:03:09,779 --> 00:03:11,890 were the opposite of what we're doing 76 00:03:11,890 --> 00:03:14,001 here . They had vague objectives with 77 00:03:14,001 --> 00:03:16,419 restrictive minimalist rules of 78 00:03:16,419 --> 00:03:19,899 engagement . No more . Our authorities , 79 00:03:20,149 --> 00:03:22,600 his authorities , Centcom's authorities 80 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,656 through the president and myself are 81 00:03:24,656 --> 00:03:27,000 maxed out . Our capabilities are 82 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,479 overwhelming and gathering still , as 83 00:03:30,479 --> 00:03:32,940 are those of our Israeli partners . Our 84 00:03:32,940 --> 00:03:36,500 munitions are full up . And our will 85 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:39,940 is ironclad , which means our timeline . 86 00:03:40,669 --> 00:03:44,520 Is ours and ours alone to control . As 87 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:46,720 long as it takes to ensure the United 88 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:48,553 States of America achieves these 89 00:03:48,553 --> 00:03:50,776 objectives , and as we flow more forces 90 00:03:50,776 --> 00:03:52,998 and as we flow more capabilities and as 91 00:03:52,998 --> 00:03:55,440 our munitions as we're flying over the 92 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:57,520 top , have even more devastating 93 00:03:57,520 --> 00:03:59,742 effects , we set the tempo , we set the 94 00:03:59,742 --> 00:04:02,199 timeline led by the commander on the 95 00:04:02,199 --> 00:04:04,679 ground . Our ear is to the ground to 96 00:04:04,679 --> 00:04:06,623 listen to Admiral Cooper , what he 97 00:04:06,623 --> 00:04:08,846 needs and what he needs , he will get . 98 00:04:09,270 --> 00:04:11,710 We are built for this fight . And we 99 00:04:11,710 --> 00:04:14,449 are in it to win it . And we have the 100 00:04:14,449 --> 00:04:16,560 right commander in the lead . So I'll 101 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:18,782 now hand it over to Admiral Brad Cooper 102 00:04:18,782 --> 00:04:20,893 to give you an update right here from 103 00:04:20,893 --> 00:04:22,893 CENTCO . Admiral , Mr . Secretary , 104 00:04:22,893 --> 00:04:22,540 first , uh , thank you very much and 105 00:04:22,540 --> 00:04:24,373 good afternoon and welcome to US 106 00:04:24,373 --> 00:04:26,096 Central Command headquarters , 107 00:04:26,096 --> 00:04:28,207 America's war fighting headquarters . 108 00:04:28,207 --> 00:04:30,262 Uh , it's great to be here alongside 109 00:04:30,262 --> 00:04:32,484 the Secretary and representing the more 110 00:04:32,484 --> 00:04:34,540 than 50,000 men and women in uniform 111 00:04:34,540 --> 00:04:36,873 currently executing Operation Epic Fury . 112 00:04:36,873 --> 00:04:38,929 Uh , so Mr . Secretary , first thank 113 00:04:38,929 --> 00:04:38,850 you very much for your leadership and 114 00:04:38,850 --> 00:04:40,961 support and the very clear vision and 115 00:04:40,961 --> 00:04:42,906 objectives that you've given us to 116 00:04:42,906 --> 00:04:44,850 allow us to use overwhelming force 117 00:04:44,929 --> 00:04:47,096 against the Iranian terrorist regime . 118 00:04:47,096 --> 00:04:48,985 Uh , and thanks to all of you for 119 00:04:48,985 --> 00:04:51,151 attending today and welcome to Tampa . 120 00:04:51,151 --> 00:04:53,318 We are now , uh , starting our 6th day 121 00:04:53,318 --> 00:04:55,262 of a historic mission to eliminate 122 00:04:55,262 --> 00:04:57,429 Iran's ability to threaten Americans . 123 00:04:57,829 --> 00:05:00,149 We are , if I could channel my inner 124 00:05:00,149 --> 00:05:02,459 Navy officer , we are at full speed 125 00:05:02,459 --> 00:05:04,690 ahead in executing orders given by 126 00:05:04,690 --> 00:05:06,412 leadership in Washington . The 127 00:05:06,412 --> 00:05:08,468 president and Secretary Hicketh have 128 00:05:08,468 --> 00:05:10,023 been crystal clear in their 129 00:05:10,023 --> 00:05:12,023 expectations , and we are at a high 130 00:05:12,023 --> 00:05:14,079 level of execution . As described by 131 00:05:14,079 --> 00:05:16,301 the secretary and and earlier this week 132 00:05:16,301 --> 00:05:18,500 by me , US combat power is building as 133 00:05:18,500 --> 00:05:21,630 Iranian combat power declines . Our air 134 00:05:21,630 --> 00:05:23,519 dominance allows us to hit Iran's 135 00:05:23,519 --> 00:05:25,519 center of gravity with overwhelming 136 00:05:25,519 --> 00:05:27,797 power and reach . A couple of examples . 137 00:05:28,369 --> 00:05:30,829 In just the last 72 hours , America's 138 00:05:30,829 --> 00:05:32,859 bomber force has struck nearly 200 139 00:05:32,859 --> 00:05:35,619 targets deep inside of Iran , including 140 00:05:35,619 --> 00:05:38,220 around Tehran , and in just the last 141 00:05:38,220 --> 00:05:41,019 hour , US B-2 bombers dropped dozens of 142 00:05:41,019 --> 00:05:43,850 2000 pound penetrator bombs targeting 143 00:05:43,850 --> 00:05:45,628 deeply buried ballistic missile 144 00:05:45,628 --> 00:05:47,950 launchers . Notably , we've also struck 145 00:05:47,950 --> 00:05:50,019 Iran's equivalent of Space Command , 146 00:05:50,350 --> 00:05:52,128 which degrades their ability to 147 00:05:52,128 --> 00:05:54,128 threaten Americans . Then if I just 148 00:05:54,128 --> 00:05:56,350 look back over the last 24 hours of the 149 00:05:56,350 --> 00:05:59,010 operation compared to where we were at 150 00:05:59,010 --> 00:06:01,177 start , ballistic missile attacks have 151 00:06:01,177 --> 00:06:04,489 decreased by 90% since day one . Drone 152 00:06:04,489 --> 00:06:07,450 attacks have decreased by 83% since day 153 00:06:07,450 --> 00:06:09,769 one . Having said this , we remained 154 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:12,380 vigilant . Our strikes against the 155 00:06:12,380 --> 00:06:14,602 Iranian navy have intensified . You may 156 00:06:14,602 --> 00:06:16,602 have heard the president say just a 157 00:06:16,602 --> 00:06:18,950 little while ago that we have sunk or 158 00:06:18,950 --> 00:06:21,061 destroyed 24 ships . That was true at 159 00:06:21,061 --> 00:06:23,394 the moment . We're now up over 30 ships . 160 00:06:23,739 --> 00:06:25,850 And in just the last few hours we hit 161 00:06:25,850 --> 00:06:28,500 an Iranian drone carrier ship roughly 162 00:06:28,500 --> 00:06:30,500 the size of a World War II aircraft 163 00:06:30,500 --> 00:06:32,920 carrier , and as we speak it's on fire . 164 00:06:34,140 --> 00:06:36,549 The president gave us another task to 165 00:06:36,549 --> 00:06:39,989 raise or level Iran's ballistic missile 166 00:06:39,989 --> 00:06:41,878 industrial base so we're not just 167 00:06:41,878 --> 00:06:43,600 hitting what they have , we're 168 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:45,711 destroying their ability to rebuild . 169 00:06:45,711 --> 00:06:47,711 And so as we transition to the next 170 00:06:47,711 --> 00:06:49,600 phase of this operation , we will 171 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,711 systemically dismantle Iran's missile 172 00:06:51,711 --> 00:06:53,767 production capability for the future 173 00:06:53,767 --> 00:06:55,767 and that's absolutely in progress . 174 00:06:55,767 --> 00:06:57,878 This is going to take some time , but 175 00:06:57,878 --> 00:06:59,878 our forces are well supplied as the 176 00:06:59,878 --> 00:07:02,045 secretary said , and we are absolutely 177 00:07:02,045 --> 00:07:04,211 ready to prosecute this missile , this 178 00:07:04,211 --> 00:07:06,433 mission decisively . Our combined joint 179 00:07:06,433 --> 00:07:08,378 forces have relentlessly destroyed 180 00:07:08,378 --> 00:07:08,269 Iran's air defenses over the past few 181 00:07:08,269 --> 00:07:10,325 days , and they've continued hunting 182 00:07:10,325 --> 00:07:12,390 for more systems to kill . Our air 183 00:07:12,390 --> 00:07:14,612 defenders are operating at the very top 184 00:07:14,612 --> 00:07:16,834 of their game . I couldn't be prouder , 185 00:07:16,834 --> 00:07:19,001 shoulder to shoulder with our partners 186 00:07:19,001 --> 00:07:18,980 in the region , in many cases , 187 00:07:19,230 --> 00:07:21,119 providing the most integrated air 188 00:07:21,119 --> 00:07:23,397 defense network in Middle East history . 189 00:07:24,130 --> 00:07:26,920 We are fighting to win through combined 190 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,031 US and Israeli combat power . We will 191 00:07:29,031 --> 00:07:31,142 continue decimating Iran's ability to 192 00:07:31,142 --> 00:07:33,364 project power outside its borders . And 193 00:07:33,364 --> 00:07:36,130 if I can just uh conclude by saying a 194 00:07:36,130 --> 00:07:38,074 strong salute to the brave men and 195 00:07:38,074 --> 00:07:40,297 women who are out on the pointy edge of 196 00:07:40,297 --> 00:07:42,463 this , really doing exceptional work . 197 00:07:42,463 --> 00:07:44,686 I just couldn't be prouder , and I know 198 00:07:44,686 --> 00:07:44,250 the American people share in that same 199 00:07:44,250 --> 00:07:46,083 pride . So thank you very much . 200 00:07:46,083 --> 00:07:48,306 Absolutely . And with that , we'll take 201 00:07:48,306 --> 00:07:50,417 a few questions , yeah , right here . 202 00:07:51,380 --> 00:07:53,102 Admiral , I wanted to ask Mr . 203 00:07:53,102 --> 00:07:55,179 Secretary , the Ukrainian president 204 00:07:55,179 --> 00:07:57,489 said today that The US has asked 205 00:07:59,369 --> 00:08:02,730 deal with Can you guys talk about what 206 00:08:02,730 --> 00:08:04,897 you asked for and has , has there been 207 00:08:04,897 --> 00:08:07,260 any surprise , any surprises from Iran ? 208 00:08:08,130 --> 00:08:11,929 Go ahead . We're we're very 209 00:08:11,929 --> 00:08:13,985 familiar with Iranians' capabilities 210 00:08:13,985 --> 00:08:16,096 and as you might imagine , we planned 211 00:08:16,096 --> 00:08:18,151 for it right from the outset , and I 212 00:08:18,151 --> 00:08:20,151 feel good about what the plan was . 213 00:08:20,151 --> 00:08:23,769 Like any good organization , we adjust 214 00:08:23,769 --> 00:08:25,825 as necessary to meet the environment 215 00:08:25,825 --> 00:08:27,658 and we've made those appropriate 216 00:08:27,658 --> 00:08:29,047 adjustments right here . 217 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:33,929 One was an American pilot shot down 218 00:08:33,929 --> 00:08:37,280 today . And 2 , Reports that there's 219 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:39,760 enriched uranium stored in Isfahan . 220 00:08:40,590 --> 00:08:42,646 I've also heard reports that there's 221 00:08:42,646 --> 00:08:44,868 not a lot of bombing there . Is that on 222 00:08:44,868 --> 00:08:46,646 purpose ? Do we believe there's 223 00:08:46,646 --> 00:08:48,812 enriched uranium there ? Would we ever 224 00:08:48,812 --> 00:08:51,146 send special forces to secure ? As , uh , 225 00:08:51,146 --> 00:08:53,312 Centcom pointed out that those reports 226 00:08:53,312 --> 00:08:55,479 of an F-15 being shot down are false . 227 00:08:55,479 --> 00:08:57,770 Um , as you can imagine , Iran is doing 228 00:08:57,770 --> 00:08:59,881 everything it can to peddle in lies , 229 00:08:59,881 --> 00:09:01,770 uh , deception , and inflation of 230 00:09:01,770 --> 00:09:03,492 numbers in reality , mostly to 231 00:09:03,492 --> 00:09:05,437 propagandize to their own people , 232 00:09:05,437 --> 00:09:07,603 right ? They don't , they've , they've 233 00:09:07,603 --> 00:09:09,714 shut down the internet . Uh , they're 234 00:09:09,714 --> 00:09:11,659 hoping they can convince their own 235 00:09:11,659 --> 00:09:11,549 population that they're having success . 236 00:09:11,919 --> 00:09:13,919 Uh , one thing one of their leaders 237 00:09:13,919 --> 00:09:16,197 said recently is that , you know , 500 . 238 00:09:16,197 --> 00:09:18,530 Americans have been killed , they claim , 239 00:09:18,530 --> 00:09:20,863 these are lies . The lies will continue . 240 00:09:20,863 --> 00:09:23,141 CEO will continue to debunk those lies , 241 00:09:23,141 --> 00:09:24,975 so . And as often is the case in 242 00:09:24,975 --> 00:09:26,919 conflict , first reports are often 243 00:09:26,919 --> 00:09:28,697 wrong as it pertains to nuclear 244 00:09:28,697 --> 00:09:30,863 material and things like that . One of 245 00:09:30,863 --> 00:09:33,086 the objectives the president has always 246 00:09:33,086 --> 00:09:32,619 said is that Iran will not have a 247 00:09:32,619 --> 00:09:34,730 nuclear bomb , nuclear capabilities , 248 00:09:34,730 --> 00:09:36,730 but we would never disclose what we 249 00:09:36,730 --> 00:09:38,897 will or will not do inside operational 250 00:09:38,897 --> 00:09:41,175 plans . So Admiral Cooper's got a plan . 251 00:09:41,175 --> 00:09:43,175 We're working that plan and targets 252 00:09:43,175 --> 00:09:45,341 will be struck or not struck according 253 00:09:45,341 --> 00:09:47,341 to what we want to achieve . Yeah , 254 00:09:47,341 --> 00:09:49,286 right there , Secretary Hexa , the 255 00:09:49,286 --> 00:09:51,230 president said earlier today in an 256 00:09:51,230 --> 00:09:53,397 interview that he would like to have a 257 00:09:53,397 --> 00:09:55,563 say in who's the next leader of Iran . 258 00:09:55,563 --> 00:09:57,675 Is this an expansion of your military 259 00:09:57,675 --> 00:09:59,786 objective ? Do you view it that way ? 260 00:09:59,786 --> 00:10:01,841 And additionally , you spoke earlier 261 00:10:01,841 --> 00:10:03,952 today about how previous leaders have 262 00:10:04,229 --> 00:10:06,396 drawn resources from our hemisphere to 263 00:10:06,396 --> 00:10:08,830 the Middle East . How do you avoid that ? 264 00:10:10,010 --> 00:10:11,954 Well , there's no expansion . Uh , 265 00:10:11,954 --> 00:10:14,010 ultimately , I think the president's 266 00:10:14,010 --> 00:10:16,232 having a heck of a say in who runs Iran 267 00:10:16,232 --> 00:10:18,343 given the ongoing operation we have . 268 00:10:18,343 --> 00:10:20,066 So there's no expansion in our 269 00:10:20,066 --> 00:10:19,489 objectives . We know exactly what we're 270 00:10:19,489 --> 00:10:21,656 trying to achieve . I think today is a 271 00:10:21,656 --> 00:10:23,378 great example of what this War 272 00:10:23,378 --> 00:10:25,545 Department is capable of doing . I was 273 00:10:25,545 --> 00:10:27,656 just in another part of Florida today 274 00:10:27,656 --> 00:10:29,711 where we announced , uh , you know , 275 00:10:29,711 --> 00:10:31,545 America's counter counter cartel 276 00:10:31,545 --> 00:10:33,378 conference . 18 countries coming 277 00:10:33,378 --> 00:10:35,489 together from Central , South America 278 00:10:35,489 --> 00:10:37,545 and the Caribbean coming together to 279 00:10:37,545 --> 00:10:39,711 fight cartels . That is something that 280 00:10:39,711 --> 00:10:41,656 is ongoing . We're focused there . 281 00:10:41,656 --> 00:10:41,244 We're focused in the Indo-Pacific . We 282 00:10:41,244 --> 00:10:44,554 can mass combat power in CEO . UCO is 283 00:10:44,554 --> 00:10:47,044 able to support that as well . So we 284 00:10:47,044 --> 00:10:48,822 know we're laser focused on our 285 00:10:48,822 --> 00:10:50,711 hemisphere and our homeland , and 286 00:10:50,711 --> 00:10:50,594 that's why we locked down the border . 287 00:10:50,724 --> 00:10:52,891 That's why we're working with partners 288 00:10:52,891 --> 00:10:55,002 to take on cartels . That's why we're 289 00:10:55,002 --> 00:10:54,744 sinking drug boats . That's why we're 290 00:10:54,924 --> 00:10:56,646 on the offense there . But the 291 00:10:56,646 --> 00:10:58,480 beautiful things about combatant 292 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,125 commands is that , you know , Brad 293 00:11:01,125 --> 00:11:03,294 Cooper's laser focused on Central 294 00:11:03,294 --> 00:11:05,419 Command . Just like Frank Donovan is 295 00:11:05,419 --> 00:11:07,697 laser focused on , on Southern Command , 296 00:11:08,159 --> 00:11:10,159 uh , we can do both . That's what a 297 00:11:10,159 --> 00:11:12,381 global power can do . Ultimately this , 298 00:11:12,381 --> 00:11:14,437 this issue of Iran's nuclear pursuit 299 00:11:14,437 --> 00:11:16,215 and their unwillingness through 300 00:11:16,215 --> 00:11:18,326 negotiations to stop it was something 301 00:11:18,326 --> 00:11:20,437 President Trump . has said for a long 302 00:11:20,437 --> 00:11:22,548 time needs to be dealt with and after 303 00:11:22,548 --> 00:11:24,659 47 years he's doing something that no 304 00:11:24,659 --> 00:11:26,770 other president was willing to do and 305 00:11:26,770 --> 00:11:28,992 we're doing it overwhelmingly and we're 306 00:11:28,992 --> 00:11:31,215 doing it decisively while also in other 307 00:11:31,215 --> 00:11:33,326 parts of the globe having the desired 308 00:11:33,326 --> 00:11:35,437 effect . I mean take for example what 309 00:11:35,437 --> 00:11:37,548 what we displayed yesterday , the the 310 00:11:37,548 --> 00:11:40,549 Iranian ship in the Indian Ocean sunk 311 00:11:40,549 --> 00:11:42,771 by Indoecom , another combatant command 312 00:11:43,109 --> 00:11:45,109 who coordinated with us in order to 313 00:11:45,109 --> 00:11:47,220 make that happen . So America's reach 314 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:49,498 is global . Uh , our focus here though , 315 00:11:49,498 --> 00:11:51,498 those missions , these missions are 316 00:11:51,498 --> 00:11:53,498 narrow , they're scoped , and , and 317 00:11:53,498 --> 00:11:55,553 Admiral Cooper is well on his way to 318 00:11:55,553 --> 00:11:57,887 ensuring that we reach those objectives , 319 00:11:57,887 --> 00:11:56,799 right here , yes sir . 320 00:12:01,890 --> 00:12:05,090 Um , do , the trains are talking about 321 00:12:05,090 --> 00:12:08,989 providing , um , Low cost interceptors , 322 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:10,778 given your experience , is that 323 00:12:10,778 --> 00:12:12,944 something that the Pentagon is looking 324 00:12:12,944 --> 00:12:14,944 for Robert Cooper , can you walk us 325 00:12:14,944 --> 00:12:17,056 through a little bit about the , uh , 326 00:12:17,056 --> 00:12:19,056 how effective the Lucas drones have 327 00:12:19,056 --> 00:12:21,389 been , what kind of targets they've hit , 328 00:12:21,389 --> 00:12:23,611 and how much that's helped , given that 329 00:12:23,611 --> 00:12:25,611 they're low cost alternative to the 330 00:12:25,611 --> 00:12:28,539 more expensive . Go ahead . Sure , uh , 331 00:12:28,630 --> 00:12:30,408 I'm , I'm not familiar with the 332 00:12:30,408 --> 00:12:32,574 particular offer , uh , but the , uh , 333 00:12:32,574 --> 00:12:34,630 interceptors in general , uh , we've 334 00:12:34,630 --> 00:12:36,797 had a number of new capabilities being 335 00:12:36,797 --> 00:12:38,852 fielded . Obviously I'm not going to 336 00:12:38,852 --> 00:12:40,741 talk about it from an operational 337 00:12:40,741 --> 00:12:40,739 perspective of what those are , uh , 338 00:12:40,789 --> 00:12:43,011 but I think you have seen over a period 339 00:12:43,011 --> 00:12:45,011 of time us kind of get on the other 340 00:12:45,011 --> 00:12:47,067 side of this cost curve on drones in 341 00:12:47,067 --> 00:12:49,233 general . If I just walk back a couple 342 00:12:49,233 --> 00:12:51,345 of years , you remember what you used 343 00:12:51,345 --> 00:12:53,400 to always hear we're shooting down a 344 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:55,733 $50,000 drone with a $2 million missile . 345 00:12:55,733 --> 00:12:57,956 These days we're spending a lot of time 346 00:12:57,956 --> 00:12:59,900 shooting down $100,000 drones with 347 00:12:59,900 --> 00:13:02,039 $10,000 weapons from ours . So that's 348 00:13:02,039 --> 00:13:04,369 one aspect of it . Lucas indispensable , 349 00:13:05,150 --> 00:13:07,317 as many of you know , and if you don't 350 00:13:07,317 --> 00:13:09,261 know , this is an original Iranian 351 00:13:09,261 --> 00:13:11,428 drone design . We captured it , pulled 352 00:13:11,428 --> 00:13:13,706 the guts out , sent it back to America , 353 00:13:13,706 --> 00:13:15,594 put a little Made America on it , 354 00:13:15,594 --> 00:13:15,590 brought it back here , and we're 355 00:13:15,590 --> 00:13:19,140 shooting at the Iranians . Good targets . 356 00:13:20,729 --> 00:13:23,010 Good targets . Absolutely , uh , right 357 00:13:23,010 --> 00:13:25,299 there . Yes , ma'am . Secretary , um , 358 00:13:25,450 --> 00:13:28,080 President Trump in his first speech 359 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,820 after the , the launch of the Operation 360 00:13:30,820 --> 00:13:33,539 Eic theory , um , he addressed Iranian . 361 00:13:34,210 --> 00:13:36,377 And he said that there's going to be a 362 00:13:36,377 --> 00:13:38,599 time for you to come out , but it's not 363 00:13:38,599 --> 00:13:40,650 now . Stay home , it's not safe . I 364 00:13:40,650 --> 00:13:42,890 want to know if there is a timeline for 365 00:13:42,890 --> 00:13:44,723 that , that you're going to urge 366 00:13:44,723 --> 00:13:46,834 Iranian people to come out , how that 367 00:13:46,834 --> 00:13:49,010 is going to play out and how are you 368 00:13:49,010 --> 00:13:52,659 gonna . um , the protesters , you know 369 00:13:52,659 --> 00:13:55,099 that they're gonna be shot probably as 370 00:13:55,099 --> 00:13:57,299 we witnessed in January . That's what 371 00:13:57,299 --> 00:13:59,580 happened . How are you gonna protect 372 00:13:59,580 --> 00:14:01,580 and support the protesters ? And 373 00:14:01,580 --> 00:14:03,802 Admiral , I have one question for you . 374 00:14:03,802 --> 00:14:07,690 Um , how are you gonna , um , Minimize 375 00:14:07,690 --> 00:14:11,030 the civilian harms . We have a lot of 376 00:14:11,030 --> 00:14:14,440 evidence that the Basiege units , IRGC 377 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:17,030 commanders , they are now gathering in 378 00:14:17,030 --> 00:14:19,869 schools , in hospitals , in purely 379 00:14:19,869 --> 00:14:22,030 residential areas because their 380 00:14:22,030 --> 00:14:24,141 headquarters are bombarded . They are 381 00:14:24,141 --> 00:14:26,141 ruined , of course . So how are you 382 00:14:26,141 --> 00:14:29,590 going to protect the civilians while 383 00:14:29,590 --> 00:14:32,119 you're attacking the IRGC people Park ? 384 00:14:33,140 --> 00:14:35,084 I would just say on the protests , 385 00:14:35,084 --> 00:14:37,307 obviously a lot of Iranian people , the 386 00:14:37,307 --> 00:14:39,473 Iranian people showed a lot of courage 387 00:14:39,473 --> 00:14:41,418 in those protests , and we saw the 388 00:14:41,418 --> 00:14:43,640 Iranian regime was revealed for what it 389 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:45,696 is in the way they reacted to that . 390 00:14:45,696 --> 00:14:47,918 The world saw that . No one's done more 391 00:14:47,918 --> 00:14:49,862 than President Trump to reopen the 392 00:14:49,862 --> 00:14:49,830 opportunity for those who want a free 393 00:14:49,830 --> 00:14:53,039 Iran to do so . Ultimately it's common 394 00:14:53,039 --> 00:14:55,359 sense , as he said up front , don't go 395 00:14:55,359 --> 00:14:57,469 out and protest while bombs are 396 00:14:57,469 --> 00:15:00,039 dropping inside Tehran and elsewhere . 397 00:15:00,359 --> 00:15:02,359 So there , there will come a moment 398 00:15:02,359 --> 00:15:04,479 where he determines or they determine 399 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:06,473 that it's the time to seize that 400 00:15:06,473 --> 00:15:08,696 advantage . But there's a lot of things 401 00:15:08,696 --> 00:15:10,918 we're doing and the Israeli military is 402 00:15:10,918 --> 00:15:13,029 doing targeting those individuals who 403 00:15:13,029 --> 00:15:15,140 are targeting those who protest . The 404 00:15:15,140 --> 00:15:17,196 more you do that and you erode their 405 00:15:17,196 --> 00:15:19,418 will and you erode their capabilities , 406 00:15:19,418 --> 00:15:19,159 the more you create an opportunity for 407 00:15:19,159 --> 00:15:21,326 people to boldly stand up . Yeah , I , 408 00:15:21,326 --> 00:15:23,492 I would just reinforce the point we're 409 00:15:23,492 --> 00:15:25,659 targeting the people . We're targeting 410 00:15:25,659 --> 00:15:27,881 the headquarters and the people who are 411 00:15:27,881 --> 00:15:27,130 targeting the protesters , you know , 412 00:15:27,239 --> 00:15:29,183 first and foremost . I'd also just 413 00:15:29,183 --> 00:15:31,406 double down on the president's comments 414 00:15:31,406 --> 00:15:33,628 that he previously made to the , to the 415 00:15:33,628 --> 00:15:35,572 people . Stay in your homes , keep 416 00:15:35,572 --> 00:15:37,628 things calm , you know , stay , stay 417 00:15:37,628 --> 00:15:39,683 out of the way . There's , there's a 418 00:15:39,683 --> 00:15:41,795 lot of US and Israeli capacity coming 419 00:15:41,795 --> 00:15:44,017 over . We're hitting a lot of targets . 420 00:15:44,017 --> 00:15:46,239 The best thing for them to do for right 421 00:15:46,239 --> 00:15:48,350 now is just to lay low . Right here . 422 00:15:48,350 --> 00:15:50,461 Thank you , Mr . Secretary . Um , one 423 00:15:50,461 --> 00:15:52,461 common outcome of American military 424 00:15:52,461 --> 00:15:54,572 action in the past has been taking in 425 00:15:54,572 --> 00:15:57,210 thousands of refugees into the American 426 00:15:57,210 --> 00:15:59,432 homeland , and I'm wondering if there's 427 00:15:59,432 --> 00:16:01,432 any safeguards put in place to make 428 00:16:01,432 --> 00:16:03,488 sure that the American people aren't 429 00:16:03,488 --> 00:16:05,849 having to have another wave of refugees 430 00:16:05,849 --> 00:16:07,960 from the Middle East or anywhere else 431 00:16:08,330 --> 00:16:10,919 come and stay here . I think it's safe 432 00:16:10,919 --> 00:16:13,400 to say there's no plan for a wave of uh 433 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:15,344 new Middle Eastern refugees to the 434 00:16:15,344 --> 00:16:17,456 United States of America . I think as 435 00:16:17,456 --> 00:16:17,440 the president has pointed out for a 436 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,162 long time , there are a lot of 437 00:16:19,162 --> 00:16:21,440 countries in this , in the region , uh , 438 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,718 who would be capable of , of providing , 439 00:16:23,718 --> 00:16:25,884 uh , that kind of support if need be , 440 00:16:25,884 --> 00:16:28,107 uh , but that's certainly not something 441 00:16:28,107 --> 00:16:30,329 we're planning on . Yeah , back there , 442 00:16:30,329 --> 00:16:32,107 yep , yes sir , uh , Michael in 443 00:16:32,107 --> 00:16:34,273 Washington Times , I wanted to ask , I 444 00:16:34,273 --> 00:16:36,551 know you know Semper Gumby is always a , 445 00:16:36,551 --> 00:16:38,496 a truism in the military . Did the 446 00:16:38,496 --> 00:16:40,729 British decision to refuse David Garcia 447 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,349 have any impact on the mission itself ? 448 00:16:43,479 --> 00:16:45,535 Did you have to adjust , or were you 449 00:16:45,535 --> 00:16:47,868 able to just completely , uh , you know , 450 00:16:47,868 --> 00:16:49,979 go with the mission without , without 451 00:16:49,979 --> 00:16:51,923 worrying ? Well , as the president 452 00:16:51,923 --> 00:16:54,090 stated , it was unfortunate that our , 453 00:16:54,090 --> 00:16:56,312 uh , that the Brits didn't from day one 454 00:16:56,312 --> 00:16:58,590 say , hey , go ahead . And have access , 455 00:16:58,590 --> 00:17:01,000 but we got there . We got there and 456 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:03,111 that's now part of the way that we're 457 00:17:03,111 --> 00:17:05,222 operationalizing bomber runs and it's 458 00:17:05,222 --> 00:17:07,444 part of when we say more to come , it's 459 00:17:07,444 --> 00:17:09,389 more fighter squadrons , it's more 460 00:17:09,389 --> 00:17:11,333 capabilities , it's more defensive 461 00:17:11,333 --> 00:17:13,333 capabilities , and it's more bomber 462 00:17:13,333 --> 00:17:15,500 pulses more frequently . The amount of 463 00:17:15,500 --> 00:17:17,800 firepower over Iran and over Tehran is 464 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,239 about to surge dramatically , and part 465 00:17:20,239 --> 00:17:22,406 of it is that we're going to have even 466 00:17:22,406 --> 00:17:24,683 more basing , and it's not just the UK . 467 00:17:24,683 --> 00:17:26,795 We've had other friends step up , and 468 00:17:26,795 --> 00:17:28,961 we're grateful for that . Maybe , uh , 469 00:17:28,961 --> 00:17:31,183 maybe one more right here . Yeah , um , 470 00:17:31,183 --> 00:17:33,072 the Azeri president earlier today 471 00:17:33,072 --> 00:17:35,128 basically authorized his minister of 472 00:17:35,128 --> 00:17:37,239 defense to begin preparing troops for 473 00:17:37,239 --> 00:17:36,969 some type of retaliatory action after 474 00:17:36,969 --> 00:17:38,802 the airport strike , uh , as the 475 00:17:38,802 --> 00:17:40,858 Department of War and CEO working on 476 00:17:40,858 --> 00:17:42,913 deconflicting with the Azari if they 477 00:17:42,913 --> 00:17:45,136 were to move in or attempt something in 478 00:17:45,136 --> 00:17:47,247 retaliation . Um , I'm sure there are 479 00:17:47,247 --> 00:17:49,413 plans , and I'll let the admiral speak 480 00:17:49,413 --> 00:17:51,525 to that , but I , I , that does allow 481 00:17:51,525 --> 00:17:53,691 me to kind of address this idea that , 482 00:17:53,691 --> 00:17:55,858 the , the , the war might be expanding 483 00:17:55,858 --> 00:17:57,969 or there , or there's chaos and , and 484 00:17:57,969 --> 00:17:57,829 nothing could be further from the truth . 485 00:17:57,930 --> 00:18:00,010 If anything , what Iran is doing by 486 00:18:00,010 --> 00:18:02,290 targeting allied countries that would 487 00:18:02,290 --> 00:18:04,346 otherwise want to stay out of this , 488 00:18:04,346 --> 00:18:06,457 they've actually pulled them into the 489 00:18:06,457 --> 00:18:08,770 American orbit . So now you've got UAE 490 00:18:08,890 --> 00:18:11,050 and Qatar and Bahrain and Saudi and 491 00:18:11,050 --> 00:18:13,217 Kuwait and others saying , hey , we're 492 00:18:13,217 --> 00:18:15,272 with you . Here's , we'll shoot with 493 00:18:15,272 --> 00:18:17,494 you , we'll fly with you , we'll defend 494 00:18:17,494 --> 00:18:19,550 with you . Uh , we'll allow you more 495 00:18:19,550 --> 00:18:21,772 basing and uh and other opportunities , 496 00:18:21,772 --> 00:18:23,828 a lot of which , you know , we can't 497 00:18:23,828 --> 00:18:23,219 talk about and won't talk about , but 498 00:18:23,319 --> 00:18:25,719 it's actually firming up the unity of 499 00:18:25,719 --> 00:18:27,552 the resistance in order to focus 500 00:18:27,552 --> 00:18:29,775 exactly where we need to . So this idea 501 00:18:29,775 --> 00:18:31,775 that it's expanding or going , no , 502 00:18:31,775 --> 00:18:33,441 it's actually . It's actually 503 00:18:33,441 --> 00:18:35,663 simplifying in a number of ways exactly 504 00:18:35,663 --> 00:18:37,775 what we need to achieve and how we'll 505 00:18:37,775 --> 00:18:39,830 achieve it . I don't know if you . I 506 00:18:39,830 --> 00:18:41,830 won't get out of ahead of policy in 507 00:18:41,830 --> 00:18:41,790 terms of what we might do . What I will 508 00:18:41,790 --> 00:18:43,679 point out is this is now the 12th 509 00:18:43,679 --> 00:18:46,219 country that Iran has attacked , 12 510 00:18:46,219 --> 00:18:48,330 countries , and it goes right back to 511 00:18:48,330 --> 00:18:50,441 the secretary's point . Uh , those 12 512 00:18:50,441 --> 00:18:52,441 countries , uh , are , are none too 513 00:18:52,441 --> 00:18:54,552 happy , and , uh , I , I look forward 514 00:18:54,552 --> 00:18:56,608 to working with all the partners who 515 00:18:56,608 --> 00:18:58,775 are willing to join us in this . And I 516 00:18:58,775 --> 00:19:00,775 would just close by saying , sure . 517 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:03,271 What is your message to Americans who 518 00:19:03,271 --> 00:19:05,949 are concerned about security here at 519 00:19:05,949 --> 00:19:08,171 home with the changeup that we're going 520 00:19:08,171 --> 00:19:10,338 to see at the Department of Homeland ? 521 00:19:10,338 --> 00:19:10,189 Well , I think , I think , uh , 522 00:19:11,209 --> 00:19:13,209 Christine did an excellent job over 523 00:19:13,209 --> 00:19:15,320 there securing our border and keeping 524 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,265 us focused on , on threats and the 525 00:19:17,265 --> 00:19:19,376 President making a change . We also . 526 00:19:19,376 --> 00:19:18,734 Serve with the pleasure of the 527 00:19:18,734 --> 00:19:20,901 president . I'm sure Mark Wayne Mullen 528 00:19:20,901 --> 00:19:23,012 will do a fantastic job . He's been a 529 00:19:23,012 --> 00:19:25,178 friend of mine for a long time , but , 530 00:19:25,178 --> 00:19:27,290 uh , Christie did a great job setting 531 00:19:27,290 --> 00:19:29,512 us up for success . So I don't have any 532 00:19:29,512 --> 00:19:29,405 concerns about whether or not the 533 00:19:29,405 --> 00:19:31,572 homeland will be covered down on . And 534 00:19:31,572 --> 00:19:33,627 I'll just end by saying I wish every 535 00:19:33,627 --> 00:19:35,849 American could get a chance to see what 536 00:19:35,849 --> 00:19:38,016 we see . I had a chance to go into the 537 00:19:38,016 --> 00:19:39,849 control room , into the tactical 538 00:19:39,849 --> 00:19:42,016 operations center , go see these young 539 00:19:42,016 --> 00:19:41,599 men and women that are doing this , the 540 00:19:41,599 --> 00:19:43,760 dedication that they show at every 541 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:45,871 level , the way they've refined their 542 00:19:45,871 --> 00:19:48,180 craft . I'm talking to a young colonel 543 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,239 who's iterating on how we target and 544 00:19:51,239 --> 00:19:53,420 how we , how we find and fix different 545 00:19:53,420 --> 00:19:55,642 aspects of what the Iranians are trying 546 00:19:55,642 --> 00:19:57,698 to do . If they They don't know what 547 00:19:57,698 --> 00:20:00,079 they're up against . And uh if , if 548 00:20:00,079 --> 00:20:02,246 they think they've got it solved for , 549 00:20:02,246 --> 00:20:04,468 they're wrong . Uh , and ultimately the 550 00:20:04,468 --> 00:20:06,412 combination of our ingenuity , the 551 00:20:06,412 --> 00:20:08,301 skill , the professionalism , the 552 00:20:08,301 --> 00:20:10,468 discipline , and then the sheer weight 553 00:20:10,468 --> 00:20:12,746 of the capabilities of the US military , 554 00:20:12,746 --> 00:20:14,857 uh , what you're gonna see , uh , may 555 00:20:14,857 --> 00:20:17,135 look routine . It may start to be like , 556 00:20:17,135 --> 00:20:18,968 oh , another boat , oh , another 557 00:20:18,968 --> 00:20:21,246 launcher , oh , another drone facility . 558 00:20:21,246 --> 00:20:23,520 What it takes to do this . Uh , with 559 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:25,853 the precision that we do is world class . 560 00:20:25,853 --> 00:20:27,687 No one else can do it , and it's 561 00:20:27,687 --> 00:20:29,798 world-class Americans , uh , like the 562 00:20:29,798 --> 00:20:31,853 ones I saw here , like the ones that 563 00:20:31,853 --> 00:20:34,020 are coming home that we're gonna greet 564 00:20:34,020 --> 00:20:35,964 home , that are the engine of what 565 00:20:35,964 --> 00:20:38,187 makes our country great . And so I'm so 566 00:20:38,187 --> 00:20:40,298 grateful for folks like those here at 567 00:20:40,298 --> 00:20:42,520 CETCOM at Central Command who are under 568 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:42,150 your command . Thank you for your 569 00:20:42,150 --> 00:20:44,261 decisive leadership , and all I , all 570 00:20:44,261 --> 00:20:46,483 I'll say to you is what I say to them . 571 00:20:46,483 --> 00:20:48,706 Keep going because , uh , the president 572 00:20:48,706 --> 00:20:48,439 and myself , we have your back . Thank 573 00:20:48,439 --> 00:20:50,606 you , Admiral . Appreciate it . Thanks 574 00:20:50,606 --> 00:20:52,099 very much . Thank you all . operation .