US Central Command Chief Proposes Two-Week Airstrike Plan to Cripple Iran’s Missile Capability

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), has developed a plan for a two-week air campaign aimed at disabling Iran’s missile capabilities, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on July 30, 2026. The plan envisions intensive airstrikes lasting 10 to 14 days, designed to reduce the Iranian missile threat and consequently lessen the need for the US to expend defensive ammunition.

The report came shortly before the US resumed airstrikes against Iran, which were retaliatory actions following an Iranian missile attack on US bases in Jordan. While President Donald Trump has threatened a strong military response, it remains unclear whether he will approve Cooper’s comprehensive plan or opt for a more limited military action while keeping diplomatic options open. A senior administration official described Trump as being "in an escalatory mood" but still weighing the "depth of the response."

Sources cited in the report indicated that Israel might participate in a potential large-scale US offensive against Iran. Critics in Washington have expressed concerns that a new air campaign could entangle the US deeper in conflict. Cooper’s strategy aims to move beyond tit-for-tat strikes, which have failed to deter Tehran, by significantly degrading Iran’s missile capabilities to break the current stalemate.

The plan reflects ongoing tensions and strategic calculations within the US administration as it balances military pressure with diplomatic efforts in the region. The next steps depend on Trump’s decision regarding the scope and scale of the military response to Iran’s provocations.