U.S. Has Capacity to Dismantle Iran’s Power Structure “Within Hours”- Former CENTCOM Deputy

A former senior U.S. military official has claimed that the United States now possesses the operational capacity to dismantle Iran’s power structure “in a matter of hours” if a decision to strike were made.

Vice Admiral (Ret.) Bob Harward, who previously served as deputy commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), made the remarks in an interview discussing the growing concentration of American military assets in the Middle East. According to Harward, the buildup is more than symbolic and signals a readiness to act if diplomatic efforts fail.

Harward pointed to President Donald Trump’s previous decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as evidence that Washington is willing to follow through on stated positions, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

He argued that the positioning of U.S. military assets suggests preparedness for potential action beyond mediation if negotiations do not meet American objectives.

If an order to strike were issued, Harward described what he characterized as a “bottom-up” targeting strategy designed to weaken Iran’s offensive capabilities while minimizing civilian impact.

According to his outline, the first phase would focus on strategic missile sites and launch systems considered direct threats to U.S. forces and regional allies, including Israel. A subsequent phase would aim at neutralizing affiliated groups outside Iran that could carry out retaliatory attacks.

The comments come amid heightened rhetoric between Washington and Tehran, as well as ongoing diplomatic maneuvering over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security dynamics. While Harward no longer holds an official military position, his statements reflect the perspective of a former high-ranking defense official familiar with U.S. operational planning in the region.

As tensions continue to fluctuate, observers note that military capability assessments often serve as both deterrent messaging and strategic signaling. Whether the current situation leads to renewed negotiations or further escalation remains uncertain, but the remarks underscore how fragile and high-stakes the regional security landscape has become.