U.S. President Donald Trump gestures on the finish of an occasion on the White Home in Washington, D.C., U.S., on February 23, 2026
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
President Donald Trump on Monday (February 23, 2026) denied stories that the highest U.S. navy officer had flagged the dangers of a significant operation in opposition to Iran, saying Washington would “simply” beat Tehran in any conflict.
U.S. media reported that Basic Dan Caine, the chairman of the joint chiefs of workers, had warned of varied dangers related to strikes in opposition to Iran together with a long-term entanglement.
However M.r Trump stated on his Reality Social community that it was “100% incorrect” that Mr. Caine was “in opposition to us going to conflict with Iran.”
“Basic Caine, like all of us, would love to not see Conflict however, if a call is made on going in opposition to Iran at a Army degree, it’s his opinion that will probably be one thing simply gained,” Mr. Trump wrote.
“He has not spoken of not doing Iran, and even the faux restricted strikes that I’ve been studying about, he solely is aware of one factor, the way to WIN and, if he’s informed to take action, he can be main the pack.”
The Washington Publish stated Mr. Caine had expressed concern on the White Home and Pentagon that munition shortages and a scarcity of allied help might enhance hazard to US personnel.
And the Wall Avenue Journal stated each the highest common and different Pentagon officers have warned of dangers equivalent to US and allied casualties in addition to the hazard of U.S. air defenses being depleted if its forces strike Iran.
The Axios information outlet in the meantime stated Mr. Caine had warned of america “changing into entangled in a protracted battle.”
Mr. Trump’s roving negotiator Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner had additionally been urging the president to carry off assaults and provides diplomacy an opportunity, Axios stated.
The U.S. President nevertheless accused the media retailers of writing “incorrectly, and purposefully so.”
“I’m the one which makes the choice, I’d reasonably have a Deal than not however, if we don’t make a Deal, will probably be a really unhealthy day for that Nation and, very sadly, its folks,” Mr. Trump added.
Mr. Trump, who ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear amenities final 12 months, has repeatedly threatened Tehran with additional navy motion if ongoing talks don’t attain a alternative for the nuclear deal the U.S. President tore up in 2018, throughout his first time period in workplace.
Washington has deployed an enormous navy power to the Center East, sending two plane carriers in addition to greater than a dozen different ships, numerous warplanes and different property to the area.
However negotiations are nonetheless set to proceed, with a U.S. official saying the subsequent spherical of talks with Tehran would happen on Thursday.
Revealed – February 24, 2026 09:08 am IST