Trump’s General Caine seeking ‘off-ramp’ from Iran war, report says

 President Donald Trump’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dan Caine, is seeking an “off-ramp “ from the ongoing war in Iran, according to a new report.

Caine has privately told other top administration officials that the country needs to find a way to exit the war, according to CNN, which cited three sources familiar with the matter.

Despite Trump claiming throughout the war that a peace deal, which would include his demand that Iran never obtain a nuclear weapon, was within reach, fighting has continued for more than five months.

“Caine is looking for an off ramp,” one of CNN’s sources said.

The general’s meetings with Trump officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are just to make clear the limitations and pitfalls of different military options, according to the sources.

“We do not discuss the Chairman’s confidential conversations with the President, the Secretary, or other senior leaders, nor do we comment on anonymous, agenda-driven characterizations of those conversations by sources who were not privy to them,” Joseph Holstead, a spokesperson for Caine, told CNN.

A White House official praised Caine’s know-how, calling him an “incredible asset to President Trump’s national security team.”

“The General always provides accurate, unbiased information and a host of options to the Commander-in-Chief, who ultimately makes decisions based on what he feels is best for US national security”, the official said.

A spokesperson for Caine decline to comment to The Independent.

A U.S. official also condemned what they called “agenda-driven leaders” who “cherry picks” information in an attempt to create the appearance of division among senior leaders.

Trump’s war has primarily been an air campaign, relying on fighters to launch strikes against Iran instead of deploying ground troops. Caine and other Trump officials privately think it's unlikely that an air campaign alone can put enough pressure on the Iranians to agree to a deal that’s favorable to the president, according to multiple people familiar with recent discussions who spoke with CNN.

“The U.S. has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types. Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history.

“The ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.

Trump’s threats came after Reuters reported Tuesday, citing two unnamed sources, that the Army has used “virtually all” of its long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems and Precision Strike Missiles.

A recent report has also found that the Pentagon is running low on missile interceptors.

The U.S. military had 2,330 Patriot systems and 452 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems before the war, according to the report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As of July 27, an estimated 759 to 827 Patriot systems and 234 to 278 THAAD systems remain, the report said.

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. military operations in Iran have cost an estimated $37.5 billion. He also asked Congress for an additional $67 billion to, in part, replenish weapons stockpiles, blaming the Biden administration for not properly funding the Pentagon.

The price of gas has also surged during the war, sitting above $4 a gallon Friday, according to motor club AAA. The price of a gallon of gas was just below $3 at the start of the war, according to the Associated Press.

Just 28 percent of Americans said they approved of Trump’s handling of Iran in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.