VIDEO: CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, “Iran’s IRGC can no longer pay its soldiers!”

A remarkable reversal in Iran’s regional military network: Iranian-backed terrorist groups and militias are reportedly withholding salaries from their own fighters to send money back to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is itself struggling to pay its personnel.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), revealed the situation in a video statement on October 16, describing mounting financial pressure on Iran’s military establishment following months of war and American economic restrictions.

For decades, Iran financed terrorist organizations and armed militias throughout the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Shiite militias in Iraq. Now, according to Cooper, the flow of money is beginning to move in the opposite direction.
The financial situation has reportedly deteriorated to the point that Iranian-backed groups are withholding payments to their own fighters to channel funds back to Tehran.

“The Islamic regime is clearly feeling the economic pain, and the IRGC is increasingly showing signs of greater desperation as a result,” Cooper declared.

According to the CENTCOM commander, America’s economic pressure campaign has prevented Iran from receiving approximately $25 billion in oil export revenue. US-led efforts have also helped freeze nearly $350 million in Iranian cryptocurrency assets.

Cooper said the financial crisis is affecting not only the military but also civilian sectors, with salaries and pensions reportedly being withheld from workers in major Iranian industries.

The admiral also emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the United States and its regional partners, rather than Iran.

The developments, if sustained, could have major implications for Iran’s regional network. Hezbollah, Hamas and other Iranian-backed organizations depend on financial resources to maintain their fighters, weapons and operations.

A prolonged inability to pay personnel could weaken recruitment, morale and operational readiness.

Cooper’s statements represent the US military’s assessment; the full extent of the reported salary disruptions has not been independently verified.

Nevertheless, his message was clear: Washington believes its military and economic campaign is placing unprecedented financial pressure on the IRGC and the organizations it supports.

WATCH: CENTCOM’s Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, Iran’s IRGC can no longer pay its soldiers

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