WASHINGTON: Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has urged senior Trump administration officials to find a way to end or de-escalate the conflict with Iran, CNN reported.
Caine raised concerns during private meetings with senior officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, according to three sources familiar with the matter cited by CNN.
Caine warned that the available military options could produce limited results while triggering a broad Iranian retaliation, the report said.
He and other officials believe air power alone may not force Tehran to accept U.S. demands, according to CNN.
President Donald Trump has continued to oppose sending U.S. ground forces into Iran, the report said.
Caine and other senior officials also raised concerns in late July about a proposal to escalate military action against Iran.
The officials feared that Iran could retaliate against U.S. allies and energy infrastructure across the region, according to the report.
Trump postponed the proposed operation after Gulf allies warned of possible Iranian attacks, CNN said.
U.S. officials have also raised concerns about falling military stockpiles. These include air-defense interceptors and precision-guided munitions.
The shortages could make it harder for Washington to sustain a prolonged conflict, according to CNN.
Caine has briefed Trump on the military risks. But he has also stressed that U.S. forces have the capability to inflict heavy damage on Iran if the president orders an escalation.
Senior administration officials are now seeking a middle ground, CNN reported.
They want an outcome Trump could present as a political and diplomatic victory. At the same time, they want to keep the door open for negotiations.
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