Sources said Dan Kane, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has privately
told senior Trump advisers in recent weeks the US needs to find a way out of a
war with Iran because military options on the table could backfire and airpower
alone is unlikely to achieve Trump’s objectives. Three people familiar with the
matter said Kane discussed escalation options and potential exit paths with
senior officials including Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio and
CIA Director Ratcliffe, and met with like-minded Trump advisers to build
consensus before briefing the president. In a recent meeting with Trump, Kane
flagged concern about shrinking US munitions stocks and discussed possible
escalation options.
