President Donald Trump is reportedly consulting with advisers about the possibility of restarting bombing campaigns in Iran and the potential dismissal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, according to reports.
These considerations come as Republicans face the possibility of losing control of the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections. Trump appears to believe the ongoing conflict in Iran could be a contributing factor to potential electoral losses, leading him to focus on the officials who assured him of a swift resolution to the war.
"Hegseth is good at telling the president what he wants to hear," one outside adviser stated, suggesting that some close to Trump believe the defense secretary has presented an overly optimistic view of the war's progress. Officials noted that Hegseth, Caine, and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, briefed Trump and Vice President JD Vance last week on options designed to allow the president to claim victory.
A fresh round of strikes against Iran could potentially occur within days of the November election, according to advisers. The presented military options range from short, few-hour strikes to a campaign lasting several weeks, with one scenario specifically targeting Iran's nuclear program. Another option involves maintaining the naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz while threatening further action.
A more extensive campaign would aim at Iran's defenses and infrastructure. However, shorter strikes conducted since a multi-week campaign began in late February have reportedly intensified Tehran's resistance and prompted retaliatory actions against American interests and allies in the region.
On the diplomatic front, Vice President Vance reportedly sent a letter to Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, proposing a return to direct negotiations with the nuclear program as a primary focus. The details of any potential concessions were not specified.
Meanwhile, President Trump engaged in a direct phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday concerning the status of negotiations with Iran and the timeline for potential military action. Netanyahu is advocating for immediate strikes post-midterms, while Trump favors allowing negotiations to continue, a stance that reportedly causes concern for the Israeli prime minister.
Reports also indicate that Hegseth has taken steps to demonstrate loyalty, including the dismissal of Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, director of planning for the Joint Staff. Officials cited Sylvia's failure to pass polygraphs related to a leak investigation as the reason for his removal. Sylvia is among more than two dozen generals and admirals who have been replaced during Hegseth's tenure.
The White House is described as being in a state of anxiety and internal conflict, with concerns about potential loss of congressional control. Trump has reportedly dismissed unfavorable polling and expressed frustration with his message not resonating. He has reportedly been spending time with loyalists.
This situation draws a parallel to the aftermath of the 2006 midterm elections, when Democrats gained control of Congress following public dissatisfaction with the Iraq War. Then-President George W. Bush replaced Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld the day after the vote and later ordered a troop surge in Iraq.