America’s senior commander for the Middle East has reportedly presented President Donald Trump with military options for restarting US strikes against Iran.
Admiral Brad Cooper made an unusual visit to the White House in person on Thursday, joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Trump is examining possible ways to resume military operations against Iran. The meeting reportedly involved members of his Cabinet and included discussions about maintaining the US blockade in the region.
The senior military officials also met with Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Wednesday.
Trump has repeatedly indicated that he could authorize further military action after the midterm elections on November 3.
American officials have warned several countries across the Middle East to prepare for the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran following the elections. They have also been cautioned that Tehran could launch retaliatory attacks against regional targets.
US officials told allies that any fresh military campaign could continue for several days.
Regional governments have been encouraged to strengthen security precautions, amid concerns that Iran’s response could target energy sites and other vital infrastructure.
America’s senior Middle East commander reportedly briefed President Donald Trump on options for restarting the war in Iran
Admiral Brad Cooper (center) made an unusual White House visit with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) and General Dan Caine on Thursday
Several Middle Eastern countries have been told to prepare for possible renewed US military action against Iran after the midterms. Admiral Brad Cooper is pictured
The reports of possible new strikes follow Hegseth’s decision to dismiss the Pentagon’s leading military planner, Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia.
Sylvia was removed from his position overseeing strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff after reportedly being investigated over alleged leaks of classified information concerning the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
‘Although Sylvia’s title was director of the Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, known inside the military as the J5, he was NOT a central planner for the Iran War,’ a Defense Department official told One America News Network Chief National Security Correspondent Alexandra Ingersoll.
‘That is the responsibility of CENTCOM and its commander Admiral [Brad] Cooper.’
CONTINUE READING: Asra Nomani: 106 ‘Red-Green’ Alliance Groups Target Global Ports
The J5 director and staff would ordinarily develop and coordinate military plans in consultation with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president.
However, the Pentagon official said Sylvia became the focus of an inquiry into alleged classified-information leaks. Investigators reportedly accused him of meeting journalists outside the Pentagon to bypass the department’s requirement that reporters be accompanied by an escort.
‘Sylvia failed three polygraphs which questioned him about leaking classified information,’ the Department of Defense official said, adding that the investigation is still underway and has been referred to the Department of Justice ‘for further action.’
The official added that ‘the extent of [Sylvia’s] leaking became so critical that Secretary Hegseth took immediate action and fired Sylvia in order to protect national security,’ arguing that ‘urgent action was needed and could not wait another second.’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump considers renewed strikes against Iran
Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia was removed from his Joint Chiefs strategy role, a senior official told the Associated Press
A Joint Staff spokesperson offered a separate statement, saying: ‘The Chairman, the Joint Staff, and the Joint Force extend our deepest gratitude to Lt Gen Brett Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation.
‘We wish him and his family the best as they graduate to new opportunities and the next chapters of their lives,’ the spokesperson said.
According to his official biography, which has since been removed from the internet, Sylvia previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025. He had also served as deputy director of the J5.
It is not yet known who will succeed Sylvia, according to the Atlantic.
Historically, the deputy or vice director of the Joint Chiefs’ relevant directorate has taken over temporarily while the president selects a nominee for Senate confirmation.
Sylvia is the second general to leave the J5 position under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt Gen Joseph McGee, was compelled to retire last October.
He is also the latest among nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior military figures to have been fired, pushed into retirement or otherwise departed during Hegseth’s tenure. In most cases, the Pentagon has not publicly provided detailed explanations.
The departures have included the civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy, along with several senior uniformed leaders from the military services.
