Senior Pentagon officials have warned US President Donald Trump about the risks of launching an extended military campaign against Iran, including potential US and allied casualties, depleted air defense stockpiles and the possibility of broader regional escalation.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal published on Monday, Feb. 23, the warnings have largely been led by Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during internal Pentagon discussions and National Security Council meetings.
Concerns over casualties and munitions
Officials cited by the newspaper said military planners are reviewing options ranging from limited strikes to a prolonged aerial campaign aimed at weakening or toppling Iran’s leadership.
A sustained operation, however, could place significant strain on US forces and interceptor stockpiles, particularly Patriot, THAAD and SM-3 systems, which are already in limited supply. Officials reportedly warned that heavy use of air defense munitions in the Middle East could complicate US preparations for a potential future conflict with China.
Iran has threatened to retaliate against US forces and regional allies in the event of an attack. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently warned that Iranian forces could target American warships. US officials are said to expect Iran to use its missile arsenal and proxy groups across the region in response to any strike.
Military buildup in the region
The United States has assembled one of its largest concentrations of air and naval power in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq War, including an aircraft carrier strike group, with a second carrier operating in the Mediterranean.
The State Department on Monday announced the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family members from the US Embassy in Lebanon, citing security concerns.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Gen. Caine’s role is to provide unbiased military assessments to the president. Trump later wrote on social media that while Caine would prefer to avoid war, he believes that if a decision is made to strike Iran “it will be something easily won.”
Diplomacy still ongoing
The warnings come as Washington continues negotiations with Tehran aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities and support for regional proxy groups.
Another round of talks is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, where Iran is expected to present its position to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.
Trump has not made a final decision on whether to authorize military action, the newspaper reported.
Any sustained operation against Iran would likely rank among the most complex military campaigns of Trump’s presidency and could draw the United States into a broader regional conflict, officials told the Wall Street Journal.
Trump has repeatedly used confrontational rhetoric toward Iran’s leadership, warning that Tehran would face severe consequences if it resumed nuclear activities. He has framed US military pressure as a means of forcing Iran back into negotiations and preventing what he describes as a renewed push toward nuclear capability.
Iran has also faced sustained domestic unrest, with protests erupting in multiple cities over economic hardship, political repression, and restrictions on civil liberties. Demonstrations have periodically intensified following crackdowns by Iranian security forces, drawing international attention and criticism.
Trump has publicly expressed support for protesters in Iran, portraying the demonstrations as a sign of popular opposition to the country’s leadership. He has accused Iranian authorities of corruption and mismanagement and has said the US stands with Iranians “seeking freedom” – while Tehran has accused Washington of attempting to incite unrest and interfere in its internal affairs.
Tehran and Moscow have long been allies. Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with the head of Iran’s top security body in Moscow in January, as White House pressure on Iran continued to build.
The latest rounds of negotiations were held in Oman, which has frequently acted as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran in past diplomatic efforts. The talks have coincided with a US military buildup in the Middle East, including additional naval and air assets, as Washington increases pressure on Iran amid the stalled negotiations.