U.S. CENTRAL COMMANDER ADM. BRAD COOPER SAYS 'LET THE MESSAGE TO THE IRGC BE CLEAR: IF YOU SHOOT AT TWO OF OUR SHIPS, WE WILL IMPOSE AN EVEN HIGHER ECONOMIC COST — TAKING OUT THREE OF YOURS', ADDING THAT THE U.S. 'WILL NOT HESITATE TO DEFEND AMERICAN FORCES, AND IF NECESSARY, DESTROY IRAN'S LIMITED AND EXPOSED OIL FLEET'. 05-SEP-2026 09:45 AM ET