Trump dismisses reports of top US general’s concerns over attack on Iran
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Donald Trump pushed back against media accounts claiming that General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had cautioned him about the dangers of striking Iran, including the risk of being drawn into a prolonged conflict and the possibility of American casualties.
In a social media post on Monday, Trump disputed the portrayal of Caine’s advice and suggested that the general believed a conflict with Iran could be won without difficulty, even as the president has repeatedly warned of military action if Tehran does not comply with US demands.
Earlier in the day, The Washington Post reported that Caine had told Trump in a recent meeting that any US strike could face serious constraints, including shortages of key munitions and limited backing from regional partners, which could hamper Washington’s ability to counter Iranian retaliation, Al Jazeera reported.
The report also said US stockpiles, including missile defence interceptors, have been under strain due to support for allies such as Israel and Ukraine.
The newspaper further indicated that Caine had flagged the potential scale and complexity of any campaign against Iran, along with the likelihood of US casualties, citing people familiar with internal discussions.
In response, Caine’s office said his role was to present civilian leaders with a range of military options along with the associated risks and consequences.
Axios separately reported that Caine has been the only senior military official briefing Trump on Iran in recent weeks, adding that US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief, Admiral Brad Cooper, has not met or spoken with the president since January.
The reports come as Trump has been weighing the possibility of military action against Iran while reinforcing US forces in the Middle East. Tehran, for its part, has signalled openness to negotiations but has pushed back against what it views as maximalist US demands on issues such as nuclear enrichment, missile development and ties with regional allies. Commentators have suggested that several of Washington’s conditions mirror priorities long articulated by Israel.
