CENTCOM chief cites reports of proxies withholding salaries for IRGC

Summary

The Times of Israel reports that Adm. Brad Cooper cited reports that Iran’s proxies are withholding salaries to send money to the IRGC; it says he claimed the US blocked $25 billion in Iranian oil exports and controls the Strait of Hormuz, while at least one tanker was reported struck. The outlet also says increased Iranian help reportedly fueled Houthi advances. Earlier, President Donald Trump said the US Navy’s blockade was effective and no Iranian ship had crossed Hormuz, according to Middle East Eye, which had previously reported Cooper’s claims that the US and regional partners controlled the strait and the blockade halted Iran’s maritime imports and exports except humanitarian assistance.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   16 Oct 2026, 20:43 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Central Command chief Brad Cooper said the US and its regional partners controlled the Strait of Hormuz, the blockade halted Iran’s maritime exports and imports except humanitarian assistance, and US forces helped Gulf allies move crude through the strait.

2. Middle East Eye

   17 Oct 2026, 02:45 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Trump called the US Navy’s blockade of Iran effective and said no Iranian ship had crossed the Strait of Hormuz; it also says Cooper reported the blockade stopped $25 billion in Iranian oil exports and that $350 million in Iranian cryptocurrency had been frozen.

3. The Times of Israel

   17 Oct 2026, 13:01 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel reports that Cooper cited reports of Iran’s proxies withholding salaries to send money to the IRGC, and said the US blocked $25 billion in Iranian oil exports and controls Hormuz; it also reports that at least one tanker was said to have been struck and increased Iranian help reportedly fueled Houthi advances.