World
Hegseth removes top Pentagon planner as Trump weighs Iran strikes
Military leadership changes as presidential war decisions remain unresolved
Military leadership changes as presidential war decisions remain unresolved
The eight-month US-Iran war has had no publicly confirmed US strikes since September 1. Trump says he is weighing a deal or more attacks after the . Reported plans range from limited attacks on to a longer campaign. Forces could move within about 96 hours after the president approves action. Any increase in fighting could lead Iran to strike back, putting US troops, regional allies and civilians at risk. The president approves action, Hegseth sets policy, and military planners prepare the choices.
As of the latest reporting, Trump had not made a final decision on new strikes, and the United States had not publicly announced an operation or Sylvia’s replacement. The president would authorize any major military action, while Hegseth and other civilian officials would direct defense policy and would develop operational options. The next confirmed change would have to come through a presidential order, a Pentagon announcement, negotiations or an actual strike.
Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed as director of the Joint Staff’s Strategy, Plans and Policy directorate, becoming the second person to leave the J-5 post under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Reports also described his departure as part of broader senior Pentagon turnover, but it did not establish that an Iran strike decision had been made.
The Pentagon did not publicly announce why Sylvia was removed, and no successor was publicly identified. Separately, an unnamed defense official alleged that Sylvia was accused of leaking and had failed three , claims that were not publicly established as fact. Other reporting cited loss of confidence and disagreements with senior civilian officials as possible factors.
Hegseth removed Sylvia as director of the , known as the . The office helps translate national objectives and civilian policy into military planning. The change occurred while Trump was weighing whether to resume strikes against Iran.
Reporting said had prepared options for renewed strikes, including a shorter operation targeting and a longer campaign intended to increase pressure on Iran. The options remained under consideration rather than adopted policy.
U.S. officials told some Middle Eastern countries to prepare for possible renewed military action after the midterm elections and for potential . The reports did not confirm that strikes had been approved.
Trump publicly said he was deciding whether to make a deal with Iran or finish the conflict through additional military action. He indicated that major action would not resume before the . The statements showed an active presidential decision point, not an announced attack order.
The attacks were publicly reported U.S. strikes in the conflict. Reporting at the time did not establish that the United States had ordered a new operation.
The United States joined Israel in military action against Iran, creating the context for later debate over . By late October, President Trump had not made a final decision on further military action.