Hegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon's top military planner, Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, who led the Joint Staff's strategy, plans and policy directorate, known as the J5. The move became known Wednesday after The Atlantic first reported it. A defense official said no reason had been given and no replacement had been named.

The firing comes at a sensitive moment. The U.S. has been at war with Iran alongside Israel for eight months, and President Donald Trump has said new strikes are an option after next week's midterm elections. U.S. officials have told allies in the region to prepare for possible renewed action and Iranian retaliation, the AP reported, though two diplomats said Trump has not made a final decision. A third aircraft carrier is heading to the region.

Sylvia, a former commander of the 101st Airborne Division, served 32 years and is the second head of the directorate to be ousted under Hegseth. A Joint Staff spokesperson thanked him for his service. Nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior leaders have been removed or pushed out under Hegseth, mostly without public explanation. Hegseth calls it accountability, while critics such as Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly accuse him of purging the military's leadership.