Gen Dan Caine, the top US military officer, has told key Trump advisers that the United States may need a way out of the war with Iran, sources familiar with the talks say.
Caine is said to be worried about plans to widen the war. He has also warned that air strikes alone may not meet President Donald Trump’s main goals, the sources said.
The talks show a gap between hopes for a fast win and the limits of military power. Caine has held private talks with senior officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
Two sources said Caine has raised the need for an exit path with those officials. He has also held side talks with some of them before key meetings with Trump.
The goal, the sources said, is to make sure senior officials know the risks tied to each military choice. The talks also aim to help top officials give Trump a clear view of what US forces can and cannot do.
One source said Caine may be trying to protect US troops and the wider military from a war that could become harder to control.
The issue is now more urgent because the war has lasted for months. The conflict began after Trump chose to take military action against Iran. The US has said a key goal is to stop Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Trump has often shown that he does not want to send US ground troops into Iran. Instead, he has backed air power as a way to put more pressure on Tehran and push it toward a deal.
Caine and other senior officials are said to have doubts about that plan. They believe bombing alone may not force Iran to accept the deal Trump wants.
As a result, they have been looking at other paths that do not require a large US ground force. The focus is on options that may fit within Trump’s limits while also reducing the risk to US forces.
The concern is not only about the next military move. It is also about what could happen after more strikes.
A wider war could bring new risks for US forces. It could also make a deal harder to reach. More fighting could create a need for more troops and more time.
Caine’s reported view is important because he is the highest ranking US military officer. His role is to give the president military advice and explain the likely results of military action.
Still, the final choice rests with Trump. The president can decide whether the US will keep fighting, seek a deal or take a new military path.
Caine’s office did not confirm the private talks. Spokesperson Joseph Holstead said the office does not discuss the chairman’s private talks with the president, defense leaders or other senior officials.
Holstead also rejected claims based on unnamed sources that may have their own aims.
The White House defended Caine and his role on Trump’s national security team. A White House official said Caine gives Trump clear and fair information, along with a range of choices.
The official also pointed to the claimed success of US military operations in the conflict. The White House said the general gives the president facts and options, while Trump makes the final call based on US security needs.
The State Department and CIA did not comment on the reported talks.
The debate over an exit path comes at a key point in the war. US leaders must weigh Trump’s goals against the limits of air power and the risks of a wider fight.
For Caine, the task may be less about choosing a side in the war and more about showing what military force can achieve.
His reported call for an exit path suggests that some senior US officials see no simple military way to bring the conflict to an end.
