Vice Admiral Brad Cooper testified before the House Armed Services Committee on April 29, 2026, regarding civilian casualties in the U.S.–Iran war [4].
The hearing comes as the conflict enters its second month, raising urgent questions about the Pentagon's ability to protect noncombatants during active hostilities. Lawmakers are seeking to determine if the U.S. military is adhering to international law while conducting strikes in the region.
During the testimony, which began at 10 a.m. [2], members of the committee questioned Cooper on reports of civilian deaths resulting from strikes on residential areas, hospitals, and schools [1]. The questioning occurred on day 61 of the Middle East conflict [3].
Senator Mark Kelly and other lawmakers specifically questioned the operational capacity of the Pentagon's civilian-harm mitigation team [1]. According to reports, the team was reduced from 10 staffers to just one [1]. This reduction occurred despite rising tensions and active combat operations against Iranian-linked targets.
Cooper, who serves as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command, said why such a significant cut to personnel was made while the risk of civilian casualties remained high [1]. The committee sought to understand if the staffing shortage contributed to the reported strikes on protected civilian infrastructure.
The hearing took place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. [2]. Lawmakers said that the lack of oversight and mitigation personnel could lead to further instability in the region and undermine the legitimacy of U.S. military objectives.
“The Pentagon civilian-harm mitigation team was reduced from 10 staffers to one.”
The drastic reduction in the civilian-harm mitigation team suggests a potential gap between the Pentagon's stated commitment to protecting noncombatants and its actual resource allocation. If the U.S. is conducting high-intensity operations with only one staffer dedicated to mitigating civilian harm, it increases the risk of strategic failures and diplomatic backlash resulting from accidental casualties.
