President Donald Trump on 23/2 dismissed reports that "Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine opposed launching a military operation against Iran", asserting that this was "100% false".
"General Caine, like all of us, does not want conflict to occur. However, he believes the US would easily win if the decision to attack Iran were made. General Caine did not speak about not attacking Iran or the fake things I read; he only knows one thing, and that is victory, and if ordered, he will lead the way," the US President stated.
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US President Donald Trump speaking at the White House on 23/2. Photo: AFP. |
US President Donald Trump speaking at the White House on 23/2. Photo: AFP.
The statement came after US media reported that the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff had warned Trump about risks related to a military operation targeting Iran.
The Washington Post reported that General Caine had expressed concern that ammunition shortages and a lack of allied support could increase risks for US forces if a military operation against Iran were launched.
The Wall Street Journal stated that both General Caine and Pentagon officials had warned of risks such as casualties for US and allied soldiers, and the potential for US air defense forces to deplete resources if Iran were attacked.
Axios reported that Caine had warned of the risk of the US "being bogged down in a prolonged conflict" in Iran. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, also urged the US President to postpone attacks to allow for diplomacy.
President Trump has consistently warned of potential US military action if negotiations on Iran's nuclear program do not yield an alternative to the nuclear agreement he canceled in 2018.
Washington is deploying a substantial military force to the Middle East, including two carrier strike groups with at least 13 warships, more than 60 fighter jets, and a large number of support and refueling aircraft. This is considered an unprecedented level of US air and naval presence in the region for decades.
