Hegseth Reportedly Removes Pentagon's Top Military Planner as Iran Tensions Persist

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly dismissed the Pentagon's top military planner, at a time of growing concern that Washington could resume strikes on Iran once the midterm elections are over.

According to the Associated Press, Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed from his position leading strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff. No explanation was given for the move, and no successor has been named. ABC News, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that Sylvia has since retired.

The AP also reported that American officials have advised some Middle Eastern countries to prepare for the possibility of renewed military action against Iran after next week's elections. Those governments were also told to be ready for any Iranian retaliation.

Diplomacy appears to be moving on a separate track. The Wall Street Journal reported that Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran that was aimed at "engaging one of Iran's most powerful hard-liners to revive peace negotiations."

President Donald Trump played down the prospect of talks when speaking to reporters. "They need help with medical supplies and various things," he said. He added that "he asked me what I thought. I said, 'If you want to do that, that's OK.'"

Iran's side has projected openness to a diplomatic path. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X late Wednesday that "Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed."

Araghchi said Iran is in "close and ongoing contact with intermediaries to review ideas that can ensure implementation of our 7-Day Plan in even less than a week."

Tehran put forward that plan last month. Under it, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and normal maritime passage restored once the necessary conditions are met. Those conditions reportedly include an end to hostilities and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

If the conditions were satisfied, Tehran would restore normal commercial shipping through the Strait and return to negotiations with Washington.