Gen. Caine Seeks Iran War Off-Ramp as 6-Month Conflict Drains U.S. Munitions
Updated
Updated · Букви · Aug 7
Gen. Caine Seeks Iran War Off-Ramp as 6-Month Conflict Drains U.S. Munitions
3 articles · Updated · Букви · Aug 7
Summary
Gen. Dan Caine has privately urged top Trump advisers to find an exit from the Iran war, arguing the conflict has reached a crossroads and no easy military solution remains.
Airpower alone is unlikely to force Tehran into a deal on Trump’s terms, according to Caine and other officials, who warn that broader strikes could backfire without achieving the president’s objectives.
Dwindling U.S. stockpiles of key munitions have sharpened that concern, with commanders now viewing supplies as dangerously low and Gulf partners warning weaker air defenses could leave their energy infrastructure exposed to Iranian retaliation.
Trump recently backed away from a late-July plan for more aggressive strikes after Middle East allies warned of blowback, though he has kept options such as attacks on energy infrastructure on the table.
Nearly 6 months into the war, officials are instead searching for an off-ramp that could give Trump a symbolic win while preserving room for diplomacy, including a possible agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
As Gulf allies brace for catastrophic retaliation, could a fragile secret deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz prevent a global energy collapse?
With critical US missile stockpiles nearly exhausted, what hidden vulnerabilities is the Pentagon desperately trying to shield from global adversaries?