Trump Reportedly Questions Hegseth and Caine Over Iran War Advice

President Donald Trump has been asking allies about the performance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine as he considers renewed strikes on Iran, according to a report citing two outside advisers close to the president. The account describes private scrutiny of their advice, rather than an announced change in military leadership. The advisers reportedly presented the Iran war as a campaign that could end quickly and decisively. Some people close to Trump accused Hegseth of giving him an overly optimistic assessment. That allegation remains disputed: the Pentagon rejected it and said Hegseth provides the president with the “full operational picture.” The White House said Trump retained full confidence in both Hegseth and Caine. The account reported no dismissal or change in either official’s responsibilities, and its description of the president’s questions rests on unnamed advisers rather than a public statement by Trump. Hegseth and Caine presented military options to Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House last week, according to the report. Trump was considering further attacks as a way to bring Iran back to negotiations. Advisers said renewed attacks could follow Tuesday’s midterm elections, but the report said no order to resume strikes had been given.