‘What’s your exit strategy to end conflict with Iran?’: Gillibrand repeatedly badgers CENTCOM

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand fiercely confronted CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper over reports that U.S. strikes in Iran hit 22 schools and multiple hospitals during a tense Senate hearing. Gillibrand repeatedly pressed Cooper on civilian casualties and demanded to know why the Pentagon had not investigated publicly available reports of bombed schools and healthcare facilities. Admiral Cooper defended US operations by insisting there was “no indication” the reports had been corroborated, despite acknowledging that CENTCOM had not investigated the claims. The explosive exchange has intensified scrutiny over America’s Iran war strategy, civilian harm mitigation failures, and the Pentagon’s handling of alleged civilian deaths.