The top U.S. military leader reportedly told Trump: Taking military action against Iran could pose significant risks

According to reports from CCTV News and other media outlets, U.S. top military leader and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, has been advising President Trump and other senior officials that military action against Iran could pose significant risks, especially the possibility of becoming embroiled in a prolonged conflict.

As background, the U.S. military is currently deploying its largest air force buildup in the Middle East since the Iraq War in 2003. In addition to the already positioned USS Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Ford strike group has now arrived in the Mediterranean.

On February 20, 2026 (local time), the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier appeared off the coast of Gibraltar.

It is reported that the White House is currently engaged in intense discussions about how to handle the confrontation with Iran and the potential consequences of various options. While some sources suggest that Trump himself favors taking action, voices around him are advocating caution.

U.S. officials familiar with the matter have revealed that, similar to the previous Venezuela operation, Trump has authorized a small “think tank” to simulate the Iran situation and provide him with a range of options. However, unlike the full support for the Venezuela operation, General Caine has been more cautious in discussions about Iran: he believes that launching a major operation against Iran carries higher risks of entanglement and casualties, and the stakes are greater.

Iran has already warned that it will respond with the harshest retaliation to any U.S. attack. Last week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei told Trump: “Aircraft carriers are certainly dangerous equipment, but even more dangerous are the weapons capable of sinking them.”

Some U.S. officials have stated that the current U.S. missile interception stockpile is only sufficient to counter about two weeks of Iranian missile salvos, which would further deplete the already limited inventories of Patriot, THAAD, and SM-3 interceptors.

Meanwhile, the “Ford” strike group deployed to reinforce the Middle East has already been extended, likely setting a record for the longest continuous deployment of a U.S. naval vessel. Last spring, the U.S. Navy’s Truman aircraft carrier suffered the loss of several fighters while defending against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which was attributed to the high operational tempo.

The report also notes that U.S. Vice President Vance has expressed concerns about the risks during internal deliberations. U.S. Secretary of State Blinken has adopted a “wait-and-see” approach, planning to participate in U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva on Thursday with Middle East envoy Wittekov and Jared Kushner, who have been urging Trump to delay action and leave room for diplomacy.

Regarding the latest developments, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly responded: “General Caine is a highly capable and respected member, an important part of President Trump’s national security team. The President considers multiple perspectives on any specific issue and makes decisions based on what best serves U.S. national security interests.”

A spokesperson for General Caine stated that, as a military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s role is to provide civilian leaders with military options, including associated risks.

(Source: Caixin)