Pentagon planning general removed amid possible Iran strike, as Vance writes to Tehran

As the United States weighs the option of striking Iran again, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Lieutenant General Brett Silvia, who headed planning at the Pentagon.

According to CNN, no reason has been given for removing Silvia, who served as director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff. Hegseth had earlier removed Navy Secretary John Phelan, Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, General David Hodne, and General Timothy Haugh, who led Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. Reports had surfaced of differences between George and Hegseth over the Iran conflict.

Meanwhile, according to The Wall Street Journal, Vice President JD Vance has written to Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, Mohsen Rezaei, with the aim of restarting negotiations. President Donald Trump, confirming the letter, said it concerned the delivery of medical supplies. Trump has said the option of further military action remains open after the November 3 midterm elections.

Separately, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei said the region's prolonged state of 'neither war nor peace' must be brought to an end.