Pentagon warns of risks from striking Iran: WSJ

The Pentagon is warning the White House of the risks of a protracted military conflict with Iran as President Donald Trump mulls renewing strikes on the country.

Trump has, for weeks, floated a second wave of attacks on Iran over stalled nuclear negotiations. He previously ordered attacks last year, leading to a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.

Commander of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine has reportedly warned the White House that a boots-on-the-ground engagement in the Middle East would risk the depletion of American air defenses, the alienation of regional allies, and thousands of casualties, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The White House told the outlet that Caine's concerns held weight with the White House and said "[t]he president listens to a host of opinions on any given issue and decides based on what is best for U.S. national security."

Trump has not publicly committed to attacking Iran and a large portion of the Republican base is adamantly opposed to such a move, fearing it would lead to a repeat of the Iraq and Afghan wars, with little benefit to the United States. The issue featured prominently in a recent interview between Tucker Carlson and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

That interview saw Huckabee apparently endorse an Israeli conquest of the whole Middle East, leading to a joint statement from Middle Eastern nations condemning his remarks. The White House has said Huckabee's remarks were taken out of context.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.