On Monday, the Axios website reported that the highest-ranking US military officer, General Dan Caine, warned during internal talks at the White House that if Trump decides to strike, there may be a risk of the US getting involved in a long conflict in the Middle East and incurring losses. This attitude is intended to contrast with his attitude towards the operation in Venezuela, of which he was said to be a strong supporter. Trump himself is said to be inclined to use force, but Axios reports that Caine's opinion may be important to him.
What are Trump's reasons for warning Iran?
What did Donald Trump say about military generals?
What action should the US president take regarding Iran?
What are the differences between the US and Iran regarding the nuclear program?
“I make the decisions”
Trump wrote on his Truth Social website that media reports that Caine is against the US war with Iran are fake news. “General Caine, like all of us, would prefer to avoid war, but if the decision is made to confront Iran at the military level, he believes it will be an easy victory,” Trump said.
He added that General Caine knows Iran well and commanded Operation Midnight Hammer, under which American forces attacked Iranian nuclear facilities last year.
“He didn't mention anything about taking no action against Iran, or even about the fake limited attacks I read about. He only knows one thing: how to WIN, and if ordered to do so, he will lead,” the US president continued.
He assessed that “everything written about a potential war with Iran was intentionally written incorrectly.” “It's up to me to decide, I would rather do a deal than not do it, but if we don't do it, it will be a very bad day for this country and, unfortunately, for its people because they are great and wonderful and something like this should never happen to them,” he warned.
It's getting hotter in the area
As Bloomberg reported on Monday, US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner intend to go to Geneva on Thursday for talks on Iran's nuclear program.
The talks are taking place against the background of the threat of American military intervention and the gathering of the largest US armed forces since the Iraq war in the Middle East. Trump said last week that he would make a decision on the possible use of force within 10-15 days. On Monday, the State Department decided to partially evacuate the embassy staff in Lebanon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel on Friday.
