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US Fifth Fleet Element

US 5th Fleet Commander: 'Iranian Actions Have The Attention of Everyone'

As tensions rise over Iran's advancing nuclear program, Iranian attacks in the waterways of the Middle East and elsewhere in the region "have the attention of everyone," Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, told American media Tuesday, February 21.

Cooper says he's seen a rise in "malign activities" on Iran's part in the region over his two years leading the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet.

While Cooper pointed to recent weapons confiscations by American and allied forces in the region as a success, he acknowledged that Iran has been able to carry out drone attacks targeting shipping in the Middle East and other assaults in the region.

Earlier during the previous week, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, announced that their monitors in Iran had detected uranium enrichment levels of 84% purity, only 6% less than the amount needed to create a nuclear weapon.

Regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions, Cooper says, "Obviously, the nuclear component is all being handled via diplomatic means," adding, "I think over two years, we have for sure seen an increase in the number of malign activities, much of which we've been catching just in the last 60 to 90 days. " (INN / VFI News)

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” - Psalm 37:1-3