Trump’s top general seeks way out of Iran war as US military options narrow ⁰

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine has privately urged senior Trump administration officials to seek a way to de-escalate the war with Iran, warning that further military escalation could achieve little while exposing US forces and allies to devastating retaliation, a report says.

CNN reported on Friday, citing three people familiar with the discussions, that Caine raised his concerns with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance.

“Caine is looking for an off ramp,” one source told the outlet, as senior officials increasingly question whether President Donald Trump can force Tehran to accept his demands.

Caine and other senior officials were skeptical of a proposed escalation in late July because of fears that Iran could retaliate against US allies and regional energy infrastructure, the report said.

Trump ultimately postponed the operation after Persian Gulf partners warned that expanding the aggression could expose them to Iranian strikes, according to the report.

US officials are also increasingly concerned about depleted stocks of air-defense interceptors and precision munitions, potentially limiting Washington’s ability to sustain a prolonged war against Iran.

The report said officials are now searching for an outcome Trump could present as a political victory while leaving the door open to diplomacy, including a possible agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.