As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, President Donald Trump is reportedly sidelining his own Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, and instead turning to a pair of four-star generals for guidance on whether to take military action against Iran, according to a new report from The Washington Post.
The revelation comes amid growing speculation that Trump is contemplating a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, particularly in light of the country’s continued nuclear development and its potential to become a regional nuclear power. Sources suggest that Trump has already signed off on attack plans but has yet to give the final go-ahead, leaving many to wonder if a military strike is on the horizon.
According to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Trump has largely excluded Hegseth from discussions related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. "Nobody is talking to Hegseth," the official said. "There is no interface operationally between Hegseth and the White House at all."
Instead, Trump is reportedly relying on the input of General Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to determine the course of action regarding Iran.
General Kurilla, who is known for his strong leadership in the Middle East and has earned the nickname "The Gorilla" for his imposing presence, is said to be playing a critical role in advising the president on the potential for military intervention. As the commander of CENTCOM, Kurilla oversees U.S. operations in the Middle East, a region where tensions with Iran have reached dangerous levels.
His extensive experience in military operations in the region, along with his strong stance on confronting Iranian aggression, has made him a valuable advisor to Trump during this critical period.
In addition to Kurilla, General Dan Caine, who serves as the highest-ranking military officer in the U.S., has also been advising Trump on the situation in Iran. Caine, known for his hawkish stance on military intervention, is said to be providing the president with recommendations on how to handle the growing nuclear threat posed by Iran.
Both generals are reportedly offering Trump their counsel on the matter, while Hegseth, despite his position as Defense Secretary, appears to have been left out of the decision-making process. The reports of Hegseth’s exclusion come as a shock to many, given that the Defense Secretary is typically at the forefront of such significant national security discussions.
The relationship between Trump and Hegseth appears to be strained, with sources suggesting that the president has not been convinced by Hegseth’s advice on Iran. Despite Hegseth’s role as the head of the Pentagon, Trump seems to be leaning more heavily on military leaders like Kurilla and Caine, who have a deep understanding of the complexities of the Middle East.
This shift in focus has raised questions about Hegseth’s effectiveness as Secretary of Defense and his ability to influence Trump’s decision-making on matters of national security.
Trump’s lack of confidence in Hegseth’s judgment may be linked to the defense secretary’s background. While Hegseth is a well-known television personality and a former National Guard officer, his lack of extensive military experience has been a point of contention for some within the defense establishment.
This perceived gap in military expertise may be contributing to the growing distance between Hegseth and Trump, with the president seeking advice from individuals with more direct experience in military operations.
In response to reports that Hegseth has been sidelined, the White House has issued a series of denials. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly dismissed claims that Hegseth had been excluded from discussions, stating, “Secretary Hegseth and the entire national security team are doing a great job advancing the President’s foreign policy goals, and they are consistently keeping him apprised on updates in the Middle East.”
Similarly, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended Hegseth’s role, asserting that the Defense Secretary is in regular communication with Trump and is actively engaged in the decision-making process. “The Secretary is speaking with the President multiple times a day and has been with the President in the Situation Room this week,” Parnell said. “Secretary Hegseth is providing the leadership the Department of Defense and our Armed Forces need, and he will continue to work diligently in support of President Trump’s peace-through-strength agenda.”
Despite these assurances, the lack of direct involvement between Hegseth and the White House on key issues like Iran has left many questioning his influence within the administration. Some insiders have suggested that Trump’s reliance on military figures like Kurilla and Caine reflects a growing desire for more aggressive military action, particularly in the face of Iran’s nuclear program.
The looming threat of war with Iran is becoming an increasingly pressing concern for the U.S. government, especially as Iran continues to advance its nuclear capabilities. Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of a military strike, telling reporters, “I may do it. I may not do it.”
These comments have fueled speculation that Trump is weighing the option of joining Israel in an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which would undoubtedly escalate tensions in the region and have far-reaching consequences for global security.
At the same time, Trump has faced significant pressure from both hawkish military leaders and more cautious voices within his administration. While Kurilla and Caine are advocating for a robust military response to Iran’s actions, other figures within the Pentagon, such as Joint Chiefs Chairman Caine and Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, have raised concerns about the potential risks of a full-scale military confrontation.
Hegseth is not the only senior official who has reportedly been sidelined during the Iran crisis. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, has also been caught in the crossfire of the president’s frustrations. Gabbard’s public criticism of “political elite warmongers” in a recent social media video reportedly angered Trump, leading to a confrontation in which the president expressed his displeasure with her remarks.
Despite these tensions, Gabbard has maintained that she is fully engaged in advising Trump on national security matters, with her office reaffirming her commitment to providing accurate and actionable intelligence to the president. However, her strained relationship with Trump, coupled with Hegseth’s diminished role, raises questions about the cohesion of the president’s national security team as he faces one of the most critical decisions of his presidency.
As the situation in the Middle East grows more volatile, the dynamics within the Trump administration appear to be shifting. With Hegseth seemingly sidelined and military leaders like Kurilla and Caine taking a more prominent role, the future of U.S. policy toward Iran remains uncertain.
The growing influence of the Pentagon’s military brass, combined with Trump’s mixed signals about military intervention, suggests that the administration is grappling with competing forces as it weighs the prospect of war with Iran.
Whether Hegseth will be able to regain his footing within the administration remains to be seen, but for now, it appears that the president is placing his trust in the hands of his four-star generals as the crisis in the Middle East continues to unfold. As tensions rise, the world watches closely to see whether Trump will ultimately take the bold step of ordering a military strike against Iran, with the consequences of such a decision reverberating far beyond the borders of the Middle East.
