Hegseth Fires Pentagon’s Top Military Planner as US Weighs New Iran Strikes

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planner, Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, as President Donald Trump weighs renewed strikes against Iran, according to CNN and the Associated Press. The Pentagon planner fired is the director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a post known in military circles as the J5.

Sylvia was abruptly dismissed for alleged “misconduct”, a defence official told CNN, claiming he is the subject of an investigation into allegedly leaking classified information. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell appeared to confirm the firing in a post on X on Thursday morning, saying the department had taken personnel action following an extensive Air Force Office of Special Investigations inquiry, without naming Sylvia or giving further details.

FAKTA

• Who was fired: Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, director for strategy, plans and policy (J5) on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Stated reason: alleged misconduct and an investigation into alleged leaks of classified information, according to a defence official cited by CNN; the Pentagon has publicly given no detailed evidence.
• Service record: 32 years in the Army; former commander of the 101st Airborne Division until May 2025.
• Replacement: none named so far, according to the Associated Press.
• Context: the dismissal comes as US officials say forces in the Middle East are prepared for new operations against Iran if ordered after the 3 November midterm elections.

Pentagon Planner Fired Amid Leak Investigation

A spokesman for Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine confirmed Sylvia’s departure to CNN. In an initial statement, the spokesman said Caine and the Joint Staff extended their “deepest gratitude” to Sylvia for his 32 years of service. That statement was later revised, with the spokesman saying it did not “appropriately reflect the full circumstances” around his departure.

CNN reported that it had reached out to Sylvia directly for comment. By Wednesday evening, Sylvia’s biography had been removed from the Joint Chiefs’ website, CNN said.

A War Department official told the New York Post that Sylvia was fired for “severe misconduct” and was under investigation for allegedly leaking classified information about the Iran war and the war between Russia and Ukraine, and that the case had been referred to the Department of Justice. The official also claimed Sylvia had failed three polygraph tests about sharing classified information. Those claims come from an unnamed official; the Pentagon has not publicly presented evidence of wrongdoing, and the accusations have not been tested in any public proceeding.

A US Army general addresses troops at a 101st Airborne Division ceremony (file photo). Sylvia formerly commanded the 101st Airborne Division.

Second Departure From the J5 Post

Sylvia is the second general removed from the J5 position under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October 2025, according to CNN and the Associated Press. The J5 director and staff generate and coordinate military plans with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president, and advise on strategy, plans and policy across national security issues.

Sylvia had been nominated for the post by former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin near the end of the previous administration. His dismissal is the latest in a series of senior departures under Hegseth, who has ousted more than two dozen senior officers, including Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, who was forced to retire in April, CNN reported.

Timing as Iran Strike Planning Continues

The firing comes at a sensitive moment. Two US officials told CNN earlier this week that US forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch new, potentially major military operations against Iran “within 96 hours of receiving” an order from Trump. Officials cited by CNN believe it is a question of when, not if, such an order comes, most likely after the midterm elections, though Trump has not made a final decision and has said no attack would come before Tuesday’s vote.

US officials have also told several Middle East countries and regional allies to prepare for possible renewed military action after the elections and for the possibility of Iranian retaliation, diplomats briefed on the matter told the Associated Press. President Trump said on Thursday that the fired general is “going to have big problems”, according to the New York Post, and said the administration is “very much looking for leakers”.

What Happens Next

It remains unclear who will take over Sylvia’s responsibilities, and the Pentagon has said it will make no further comment while the investigation continues. The episode leaves the Pentagon’s senior planning post vacant at a moment when the administration is weighing its next move in an eight-month confrontation with Iran, with diplomacy and military planning running in parallel. For more world news, see Watan News World coverage.