Joint Staff's Top Military Planner Removed Amid Iran Tensions

Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed from the Joint Staff’s top strategy post, adding uncertainty as President Donald Trump publicly downplays peace talks with Iran.

Sylvia led the Joint Staff unit responsible for strategy, policy and planning. No explanation was provided for the change, and no successor was named.

Trump said over the weekend that he was weighing whether to “make a deal” with Iran or “finish it off.” He has also denied that peace talks are underway.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote Wednesday that Tehran was still giving diplomacy a chance and was in contact with intermediaries about proposals under its seven-day plan.

Tehran’s proposal ties reopening the Strait of Hormuz for normal commercial shipping to conditions that reportedly include ending hostilities and releasing frozen Iranian assets. Iran’s plan also calls for negotiations with Washington to resume, linking the shipping route’s status with the course of diplomacy.

The reported personnel change comes as the conflict and possible Hormuz disruptions remain concerns for oil and crypto markets.