US Joint Chiefs chair warned Trump advisers on Iran war strategy

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine told White House advisers that the United States needs an exit from its roughly six-month war with Iran, warning that current military options could produce larger unintended consequences and that airstrikes alone would not meet Washington's stated objectives. Caine raised those concerns in discussions with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. In late July, broader U.S. air operations inside Iran were proposed, but President Trump suspended the plan after warnings from Gulf states that Iran could strike their energy facilities in retaliation. U.S. critical munitions stocks have fallen to dangerous levels during the conflict, and concerns over the inadequacy of advanced air defense systems among Gulf allies have also been conveyed to Washington. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have begun reassessing their Iran strategy, with a senior Central Command official requesting ideas for new and unconventional pressure methods.