The head of US Central Command has released a video update on X claiming the opening phase of the US operation in Iran was “nearly double the scale” of the first 24 hours of the 2003 “shock and awe” campaign in Iraq. 

In the update, the commander said US forces have hit almost 2,000 targets in Iran and destroyed 17 Iranian vessels, adding: “Today, there is not a single Iranian ship underway in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, or Gulf of Oman.” 

He also described the current deployment as the largest US military build-up in the Middle East “in a generation”, citing more than 50,000 troops, around 200 fighter aircraft, two aircraft carriers and bombers involved in the operation. 

The commander further claimed the US has “severely degraded” Iran’s air defences and destroyed large numbers of missiles, launchers and drones. He alleged Iran has responded by firing more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones, which he said were “indiscriminately” targeting civilians. 

UK Fact Check note: these figures are claims made by the US military commander in a social media video and have not been independently verified.