The United States has removed its top military strategy planner from his post as President Donald Trump considers possible fresh large-scale strikes against Iran, according to a report by The Atlantic.
Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was dismissed this week as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the magazine reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified US defence officials.
The Pentagon has not publicly given a reason for Sylvia’s removal, and no replacement has been announced, The Atlantic reported. The Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency said it had contacted the Pentagon for comment.
Sylvia’s departure comes amid a series of high-profile military leadership changes since Trump returned to office about a year ago.
Last month, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the administration had reduced the number of generals and admirals by 20 per cent as part of efforts to promote what he described as “accountability”.
Hegseth portrayed the cuts as an achievement, suggesting they targeted officers who did not support his push to prioritise war-fighting over what he called the “woke” policies of previous administrations.
The reported dismissal also comes as Trump weighs the possibility of renewed military action against Iran following next month’s US midterm elections.
Speaking last week, Trump hinted at further military operations, saying, “We may do another little Epic Fury.”
He was referring to the US-Israeli attacks on Tehran in February that triggered the war. However, he gave no indication of when further strikes might take place.
The United States and Iran have not carried out major attacks on land-based targets since early September, instead engaging in a pattern of strikes against commercial ships.
Sylvia previously commanded the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, an air assault unit, and led a military unit in Iraq.
His removal adds to changes in the US military leadership as the Trump administration continues to reshape the armed forces and considers its next steps in the conflict with Iran.
