Senior Defense Department officials are cautioning President Trump about the potential consequences of a drawn-out military operation against Iran, warning that some of the plans under review could expose U.S. and allied forces to casualties, strain air-defense resources and stretch the military thin, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
According to current and former officials cited by the news outlet, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been among those voicing concerns during internal Pentagon discussions and National Security Council meetings. Other defense leaders have echoed similar reservations about the scope and sustainability of certain proposals.
Officials familiar with the deliberations emphasized that such assessments are a routine part of contingency planning. Military leaders, particularly the Joint Chiefs chair, are expected to outline likely casualty estimates, logistical demands and other operational costs before any action is taken.
The options under consideration reportedly range from limited, targeted strikes to a multi-day air campaign that could aim to destabilize or even topple Iran’s leadership. While each scenario carries inherent risks, defense officials say an extended operation could significantly drain U.S. munitions stockpiles and air-defense systems, potentially complicating efforts to shield American partners in the region if Tehran retaliates.
There are also broader strategic concerns. Heavy use of air-defense interceptors and other high-demand weaponry, already in finite supply, could affect U.S. readiness for other contingencies, including a potential future confrontation with China.
According to the Journal’s reporting, officials said the issues raised by Caine, who is widely regarded as a trusted adviser to the president, will factor into Trump’s ultimate decision. The president has not yet reached a conclusion, they added.
In the meantime, the United States has amassed substantial air and naval forces in the Middle East, marking the region’s largest concentration of U.S. air power since the 2003 Iraq invasion. An aircraft carrier strike group is operating in the area, and a second carrier has been positioned in the Mediterranean.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the president values input from across his national security team. She described Caine as a respected and capable adviser and noted that Trump considers a range of perspectives before determining what best serves U.S. security interests.
Diplomatic efforts continue alongside military planning. The administration is engaged in talks with Iran aimed at curbing Tehran’s potential pathways to a nuclear weapon, an objective Iranian officials deny pursuing, as well as limiting its ballistic missile program and support for regional militant groups. Another round of negotiations is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, where Iranian representatives are expected to present their positions to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
Iran has warned it would respond forcefully to any American strike. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently suggested Iranian forces could target U.S. naval assets if attacked.
While any military action entails risk, officials say a sustained campaign against Iran would rank among the most complicated and perilous operations of Trump’s presidency, with the potential to escalate into a broader regional conflict, the Journal reported.