Sightful Invest
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock
Top Posts
House conservatives to lead prayer for end to...
GOP senators push for Charlie Kirk statue in...
Biden autopen investigation ‘has heated up’ as DOJ...
States sue Trump admin over billions in looming...
NASA’s ‘quiet’ supersonic jet completes first flight in...
Trump claims Asia tour returned ‘trillions’ to US...
‘Unprecedented’ panel of federal judges will tackle antisemitism...
Schumer, Dems call ‘bull—-‘ on Trump administration over...
US rescue teams to descend on hard-hit Caribbean...
Republicans dub Fetterman ‘voice of reason’ after he...
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock

Sightful Invest

Politics

‘Bold’ general who led US’ ‘Midnight Hammer’ strikes on Iran ends Middle East reign

by admin August 25, 2025
August 25, 2025
‘Bold’ general who led US’ ‘Midnight Hammer’ strikes on Iran ends Middle East reign

Gen. Michael ‘Erik’ Kurilla, the military officer who oversaw the execution of the Iran strikes in June, has retired from military service and has handed over the reins following three years leading U.S. troops in the Middle East. 

Kurilla, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, became commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2022, and oversaw planning and execution of at least 15 major combined combat operations, according to the command.

Among those, two occurred during his final months leading the command: Operation Rough Rider targeting the Houthis in Yemen in March and April, and Operation Midnight Hammer striking Iran nuclear sites in June.

 

Operation Midnight Hammer targeted Iranian nuclear facilities Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, and involved more than 125 U.S. aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. Likewise, a guided-missile submarine also launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at key Iranian targets. 

‘General Kurilla is a bold, dynamic, and inspiring leader who strikes fear into the hearts of America’s enemies,’ Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a June statement to Fox News Digital. ‘He’s a warrior through and through who always puts his country, mission, and troops first. It has been an honor to serve alongside him in defense of our great nation.’

Kurilla spent an extensive amount of his career focusing on operations in the Middle East. From 2004 to 2014, the general oversaw conventional and special operations forces during consecutive tours that fell under the CENTCOM purview.

During that span of time, Kurilla completed tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Kurilla is known for his involvement in a Mosul, Iraq, firefight in August 2005, where he sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The encounter earned him a Bronze Star with valor and one of his two Purple Heart awards.

Notable figures who’ve previously led CENTCOM include former defense secretaries, retired Gen. Jim Mattis, who served during Trump’s first term, and retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, who served during former President Joe Biden’s administration.

As of early August, U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper is now leading CENTCOM, one of the U.S. military’s 11 combatant commands, with 21 nations in the Middle East in its area of operations — including Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Like Kurilla, Cooper is no stranger to the Middle East. Previous assignments include serving as deputy commander of CENTCOM and overseeing U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in the Middle East, where he spearheaded efforts to employ unmanned service vessels into the fleet. 

Cooper officially took over leading CENTCOM Aug. 8 during a change of command ceremony in Tampa, Florida, where CENTCOM headquarters are located. Kurilla’s retirement ceremony occurred on the same day, a spokesperson for CENTCOM confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

‘U.S. Central Command and the entire joint force have performed exceptionally well under the leadership of Gen. Kurilla, helping to bolster partnerships, increase lethality of U.S. forces, and defend Americans and civilians abroad,’ Cooper said in a Navy statement. ‘I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead America’s sons and daughters as we support the important mission of enhancing regional security and stability in the Central Command region.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

previous post
Democrats opposed John Bolton for years — until they sought him as an ally against Trump
next post
US ally summons Trump ambassador over ‘unacceptable’ antisemitism allegations

You may also like

Trump to jet off to Asia as North...

October 25, 2025

Does Iran’s hacking of the Trump campaign prove...

September 25, 2024

US agencies distance themselves from Chinese-founded PDF software

August 29, 2025

JONATHAN TURLEY: House ‘delegate’ shows her confusion over...

January 6, 2025

Defunding DEI: Here’s how the Trump administration has...

April 28, 2025

Harris-Trump showdown: Margin-of-error presidential race with one week...

October 29, 2024

Buttigieg ‘got nothing done,’ Duffy declares: ‘Pete appears...

May 2, 2025

‘Web of dark money’ tied to Obama, Dems...

August 29, 2025

Trump says Iran would ‘like to talk’ about...

June 17, 2025

Voter slams Harris for ‘race baiting’ and ‘fear...

September 11, 2024

Recent Posts

  • House conservatives to lead prayer for end to political violence, government shutdown
  • GOP senators push for Charlie Kirk statue in Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes
  • Biden autopen investigation ‘has heated up’ as DOJ looks at Delaware, DC: source
  • States sue Trump admin over billions in looming cuts to SNAP, food stamps
  • NASA’s ‘quiet’ supersonic jet completes first flight in potential breakthrough for commercial air travel

    Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest insights, updates, and exclusive content straight to your inbox! Whether it's industry news, expert advice, or inspiring stories, we bring you valuable information that you won't find anywhere else. Stay connected with us!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Categories

    • Business (946)
    • Investing (3,304)
    • Politics (4,045)
    • Stock (4)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: sightfulinvest.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 Sightful Invest. All Rights Reserved.