Hegseth Dismisses Senior Pentagon Strategist as Trump Considers Renewed Strikes on Iran: Report

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia from a key Pentagon planning position as President Donald Trump considers the possibility of renewed military strikes against Iran, according to media reports. Sylvia served as director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a senior position responsible for helping develop military strategies and assess operational options. His departure comes at a sensitive time for the US military, with Washington weighing its next steps in the conflict with Tehran.

According to reports, a defence official confirmed Sylvia’s departure but did not publicly disclose the reason behind the decision. The Pentagon had not announced a replacement at the time of reporting. Sylvia’s position, commonly referred to as the J5 directorate, plays an important role in coordinating strategic planning and advising senior military leadership on potential operations. The office helps assess military options in line with national security objectives and evaluates the resources and risks associated with different courses of action.

The removal has drawn attention because it comes amid reports that the Trump administration is considering whether to resume attacks against Iran. However, no publicly confirmed evidence has established that Sylvia’s departure was directly linked to the administration’s deliberations over possible strikes. Sylvia, who previously commanded the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, had served in the military for more than three decades. His departure marks another change in the Pentagon’s senior planning leadership under Hegseth.

His predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, also left the J5 position in October 2025. The latest development has renewed questions about changes to the Pentagon’s senior leadership and their potential implications for military planning. A spokesperson for the Joint Staff acknowledged Sylvia’s service and thanked him and his family for their decades of military duty. The statement did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding his departure.

Trump has continued to signal that additional military action against Iran remains an option. Reports have suggested that his administration is examining the possibility of renewed strikes following the November 3 midterm elections. However, the White House had not publicly confirmed a final decision to launch another operation. Any renewed US military campaign against Iran could carry significant risks, including retaliation against American forces and regional partners, further instability in the Middle East and potential disruption to international energy markets and shipping routes.

The administration would also need to weigh the expected military benefits against the possibility of prolonging the conflict. The decision could depend on intelligence assessments, operational objectives, diplomatic developments and the risks of a wider regional confrontation. The Pentagon has not publicly indicated whether Sylvia’s departure will affect ongoing planning or alter the military options being considered by the administration. The impact of the leadership change will depend partly on the appointment of a successor and the continuity of responsibilities within the Joint Staff. The circumstances surrounding Sylvia’s removal remain unclear. His departure comes as Washington faces important decisions over its Iran policy, placing renewed attention on Pentagon leadership and the military advice available to the White House.

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