US removes top military strategy official amid possible Iran strikes

The United States has removed a senior military official responsible for strategy and planning at a time when President Donald Trump is reportedly considering another round of large-scale strikes against Iran, reported The Atlantic on Wednesday.

Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was relieved of his duties this week as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the magazine said, citing unnamed Defence Department officials.

His removal adds to a series of senior military departures since Trump returned to the White House.


Last month, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US had cut the number of generals and admirals by 20%, calling the reduction an "accomplishment" and part of an effort to bring greater accountability to the military.

Hegseth also indicated that the cuts were directed at officers who did not share his emphasis on war-fighting capabilities over what he described as the "woke" policies of previous administrations.

The reason behind Sylvia's removal remains unclear. No replacement has been announced, according to The Atlantic. AFP said it had reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

The development comes amid reports that Trump is considering fresh military action against Iran after the US midterm elections on November 3.

"We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump said last week, referring to the joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in February that set off the war. He did not say when another round of attacks might take place.

The fighting has taken a different course in recent weeks. Neither Washington nor Tehran has carried out major strikes against land-based targets since early September, with hostilities instead largely involving attacks on commercial shipping.

Sylvia, meanwhile, has held several senior positions in the US Army. Before taking up his role on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he commanded the 101st Airborne Division, an air assault formation, and previously led a unit in Iraq.