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3. CENTCOM Pushes Lebanese Army Support as Hezbollah Supply Routes Collapse

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing held today, Chairman Roger Wicker questioned Admiral Brad Cooper on Iran’s continued support for regional proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, amid ongoing U.S. military operations in the Middle East.

Wicker stressed that Iran’s influence extends beyond its nuclear program, arguing that Tehran’s financial and military backing of proxy organizations remains one of the central security challenges facing the region.

Responding to questions during the hearing, Admiral Cooper stated that current U.S. operations have significantly disrupted Iranian logistical networks used to supply its allies across the region.

“As we sit here today, there are no resources and equipment that are flowing from Iran to Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis,” Cooper said. “Those transfer paths and methods have been cut off.”

The CENTCOM commander described the disruption campaign as a major operational priority from the beginning of ongoing regional operations.

When asked whether the groups were still receiving support through alternative channels, Cooper acknowledged that some details could only be discussed in a classified setting. Nevertheless, he maintained that Iran’s primary supply infrastructure had been effectively dismantled for the time being.

“The main supplier of resources and training for decades and billions of dollars… those pieces have been completely cut off today,” he added.

Admiral Cooper also addressed the issue of Hezbollah’s military presence in Lebanon and the broader challenge of disarmament. He described the task as exceptionally difficult due to the group’s deep integration into Lebanese political and social structures, as well as decades of Iranian financial backing.

“Taking on the disarmament of Hezbollah is a tall order,” Cooper said. “They’ve been funded by Iran for decades with billions of dollars, and Hezbollah is inculcated into every fabric of Lebanese society.”

The CENTCOM commander argued that continued American support for the Lebanese Armed Forces remains important, particularly for specialized units capable of expanding state authority in southern Lebanon and other sensitive areas.

“Our continued commitment, with modest dollars to the Lebanese Armed Forces, is helpful,” Cooper stated. “They have, in particular, several units who can do more.” He added that Washington should remain prepared “to provide the funding necessary so that they can do more.”

The exchange reflected growing concern among U.S. lawmakers and military officials over Iran’s regional network of armed groups, while also highlighting Washington’s continued reliance on the Lebanese military as a counterbalance to Hezbollah’s influence inside Lebanon.