World · Middle East · 11 hrs ago
Trump weighs Iran strikes as he questions war leadership
Donald Trump is weighing whether to resume US attacks on Iran.
At the same time, he has asked allies and people close to him about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, two senior military advisers during the war.
The war has not achieved its stated aims, according to the account, and has depleted weapons stocks and harmed the US economy.
Republicans fear losing control of Congress in the midterm elections, and people close to Trump worry the war could hurt the party’s chances.
Hegseth appears more vulnerable than Caine, with some Trump allies accusing him of giving an overly positive picture of the war; the Pentagon denies this.
Trump has not decided whether to restart the attacks, while questions over who is responsible for the war’s results continue inside his administration.
President Donald Trump is weighing whether to resume military strikes against Iran or hold back.
As he considers that choice, he is asking allies and people close to him about the performance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
The Atlantic reported that some Trump associates accuse Hegseth of giving an overly optimistic account of the war.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell rejected those accusations, saying Hegseth gives the president and senior White House officials the full operational picture.
The report says the war has depleted weapons stocks and harmed the US economy, while Republicans face risks ahead of the Nov. 3 congressional elections.
- Who
- President Donald Trump is weighing his options and questioning the performance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine.
- What
- Trump is considering whether to resume strikes against Iran while seeking views on the military leadership of the war.
- When
- The report was published on Nov. 2, 2026, ahead of congressional elections on Nov. 3.
- Where
- The United States and Iran. The reported discussions are taking place among Trump’s allies and people close to him.
- Why
- The war has not achieved its stated goals, depleted weapons stocks and harmed the US economy. Trump is also concerned about Republicans’ prospects in the congressional elections.
Critics of Hegseth
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell
Hegseth’s reporting on the war
Critics of Hegseth
Some Trump associates accuse Hegseth of presenting an overly optimistic picture to please the president.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell
Parnell said Hegseth provides the president and senior White House officials with the full operational picture, calling doubts about that “completely wrong.
Trump began sounding out allies and people close to him about Hegseth’s and Caine’s performance, according to The Atlantic.
Hegseth dismissed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia amid an investigation into leaks, according to the report.
Al Jazeera published its report on Trump’s deliberations over Iran strikes and questions about the war’s leadership.
The US congressional elections were scheduled to take place.
- Election date
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Defense secretary
- Pete Hegseth
- Joint Chiefs chairman
- Gen. Dan Caine
- Dismissed officer
- Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a senior Joint Staff officer and director of planning
- Leaks inquiry
- Hegseth ordered at least three polygraph tests for Sylvia, according to The Atlantic
What people are saying
Hegseth is good at telling the president what he wants to hear.
the full operational picture
completely wrong