Sources: Top U.S. military officer is seeking a way out of the Iran conflict

BlockBeats reported on Aug. 8, citing people familiar with the matter, that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine has been looking for a path to pull the United States out of the Iran conflict. According to the report, three informed sources said that over the past several weeks Caine privately told other senior advisers to Donald Trump that Washington needs an exit route, arguing that the military options currently under discussion could backfire. The same sources said air power alone is unlikely to achieve Trump’s objectives. The report added that Caine discussed military options for escalating the conflict with several senior administration figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. During those conversations, he also raised possible ways to bring the fighting to an end. Separately, the report said Caine recently held private meetings with several like-minded Trump advisers before their meetings with the president in an effort to align their views. It also said that in a recent meeting with Trump, Caine voiced concern over shrinking U.S. weapons stockpiles, while the two also discussed potential escalation options.