US Joint Chiefs Chair Urges De-escalation and Seeks End to Iran Conflict

General Dan McKenzie, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, is actively working to promote an end to the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to sources cited by CNN, McKenzie has expressed reservations about escalating military actions, warning senior Trump administration officials that airstrikes alone will not achieve war objectives and may instead deepen the conflict. He has communicated these concerns in discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other top officials.

McKenzie is reportedly seeking a unified position within the administration advocating for a resolution to the hostilities, which he intends to present to President Donald Trump. While his spokesperson declined to comment on the details of these confidential talks, McKenzie's cautious stance was previously hinted at during a public hearing last month when he noted the limitations of air power.

The report also reveals that President Trump considered a large-scale attack on Iran, described as the largest since World War II, with support from US Central Command leaders and Israel. However, McKenzie warned the president about the risks of escalation, including ammunition shortages and the costs of a prolonged campaign. He emphasized that while the military is capable of executing an expanded operation if ordered, the preferred course remains seeking a path to end the conflict rather than intensify it.