US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia from the Pentagon’s senior planning post as President Donald Trump considers renewed strikes against Iran, a defence official told AP.
Sylvia headed strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff, an office known as J5. No immediate replacement had been identified, the official said, speaking anonymously about sensitive personnel matters.
The Joint Staff subsequently withdrew its initial statement thanking Sylvia for his service, according to ABC News, which published the revised response.
“We are withdrawing our earlier statement concerning this personnel matter,” a Joint Staff spokesperson said, according to ABC.
The spokesperson said the earlier message did not fully reflect the circumstances and declined further comment, citing an ongoing personnel process. ABC reported that Sylvia had retired, citing two sources familiar with the situation.
His departure coincides with US military preparations for a possible resumption of major operations against Iran. US officials told CNN that forces already deployed in the Middle East could be ready to execute an order within 96 hours.
That assessment describes military readiness rather than a decision to attack. CNN reported that Trump had not settled on his next step and that officials cautioned he could change course.
A Pentagon official alleged that Sylvia had disclosed classified information concerning the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars, The Center Square reported on 29 October.
The official also said an investigation remained open and the matter had been referred to the Justice Department. The outlet’s account did not establish the allegations as findings or include a response from Sylvia.
Accounts differed over who ordered the removal. CNN cited a source familiar with the situation who attributed it to Hegseth. One ABC source said it was unclear whether Hegseth or General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had ordered it.
The planning directorate develops strategy and policy recommendations for the chairman’s advice to the president and other national leaders. Its work involves coordination with other government agencies, allies and combatant commanders, according to the Joint Staff’s description quoted by CNN.
In its reporting on Iran preparations, CNN said US officials expected any further major operation to extend beyond strikes on equipment Iran could quickly replace.
Officials familiar with the planning expected a possible operation after the US midterm elections, but CNN did not report a final presidential authorisation.
Sylvia previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell in Kentucky. An Army release records that he took command on 20 July 2023 and handed over to Major General David Gardner on 30 May 2025.
He is the second officer to leave the J5 leadership under pressure during Hegseth’s tenure. His predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October 2025, AP reported.
