US top general pushes diplomatic exit from Iran conflict

Senior U.S. military officials are privately seeking a diplomatic exit from the ongoing conflict with Iran, as the war enters its sixth month with no clear path to victory through military means alone. According to multiple sources, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine has conveyed to other top Trump administration advisers that the United States needs to find an "offramp" from the war, arguing that airpower alone is unlikely to achieve President Donald Trump's stated objectives and that further escalation could backfire.

Caine has reportedly discussed these concerns with key cabinet officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance, in recent weeks. The aim of these discussions has been to coordinate ahead of meetings with the president and to make clear the limitations and pitfalls of available military options, particularly those that avoid deploying ground troops. While President Trump has consistently signaled a preference for an air campaign to pressure Iran into a deal on his terms, Caine and other officials privately view that outcome as unlikely.

The conflict, which began with joint U.S. and Israeli...