In light of threats to strike Iran... Source: Hegseth dismisses a prominent military official in the Pentagon

An informed source told Ufoq News Network that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the Pentagon's chief planning official from his position, at a time when President Donald Trump is considering launching new strikes against Iran. A spokesman for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kaine, confirmed that Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia - who was the Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy (known as J5) at the Joint Chiefs of Staff - will leave his position suddenly.

No reason was given for Sylvia's dismissal, and it is unclear who will assume his responsibilities. Ofek News has contacted Hegseth's office for comment.

The decision to dismiss him is the latest in a long line of senior officers who have left the Pentagon under the Trump administration, and since Hegseth took office. This is a step that falls within measures that led to a significant reduction in the ranks of senior military leadership. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the J5's role is strategic and focuses on advising on US engagement plans internationally.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff website: “The Joint Chiefs of Staff (J5) proposes strategies, plans, and policy recommendations to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to support his provision of military advice covering the full spectrum of national security issues to the President and other national leaders. These tasks are also intended to ensure that those recommendations are based on a broader strategic context, in coordination with other government agencies and coalition partners, taking into account the views and requirements of combatant command commanders, and assessing the risks associated with implementing the National Military Strategy.”

Sylvia, who previously served as commander of the Army's 101st Airborne Division, was nominated for the position by former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin near the end of the Biden administration. By Wednesday evening, Sylvia's biography had been removed from the Joint Chiefs of Staff's website.

A spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff said: “The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Joint Forces extend their sincere gratitude to Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia and his family, in recognition of their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation. We wish him and his family every success as they move toward new opportunities and begin the next chapters in their lives.”

Sylvia's dismissal comes at a critical time for the Pentagon. As reported by Ofek News, two American officials told the network earlier this week that American forces in the Middle East are on standby to launch new military operations - which could be large-scale - against Iran, “within 96 hours of receiving” an order in this regard from Trump.

“It will take a huge effort,” one of the officials told Ofoq News. This view was shared by other US officials, current and former, who were familiar with internal military planning discussions; Some of them believe that Trump issuing an order to take action is only a matter of time.

They believe that this order could be issued at any time before the end of the year, although it is more likely to happen after the midterm elections in the United States. Officials say Trump is undecided about what he will do after the midterm elections, but appears inclined to take broad action.

However, officials note that Trump had previously shown an inclination to take certain steps, then backed away from them at the last minute. Trump has previously stated that there will be no attack before the midterm elections that will be held on Tuesday.

Sylvia joins a list of senior Pentagon officials and officers who were fired during Hegseth's tenure as Secretary of Defense. The most prominent of these is the Army Chief of Staff, General Randy George, who was forced to retire in April, one day after Trump hinted at his intention to intensify the war with Iran.

He also dismissed more than two dozen high-ranking officers, removed the Minister of the Navy with whom he had clashed, and, according to reports, interfered in promotion processes across the various branches of the armed forces, which led to the direct formation of the leadership. Sources told Ufoq News at the time that Sylvia's predecessor, Lieutenant General Joe McGee, also left his post in October 2025 under pressure from Hegseth, noting that McGee had often "opposed" the Defense Secretary and Cain on issues ranging from Russia, Ukraine, and military operations in the Caribbean.