Trump denies top general opposes Iran strike, warns of 'very bad day' without deal

2026-02-23 - 22:12

President Donald Trump on Monday rejected media reports claiming that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine opposes a US strike on Iran, labeling the stories "100% incorrect" while reiterating his preference for a negotiated agreement over military confrontation. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump addressed what he termed "Fake News Media" reports suggesting Caine has been advising against military action due to significant risks. President's Statement "Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect," Trump wrote. His denial follows local media reports that Caine had been counseling the president and top officials about the potential dangers of launching a military campaign against Tehran. Decision-Making Authority Trump emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with him alone, not military advisors. "I am the one that makes the decision," he stated, while expressing openness to diplomacy. "I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we don't make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them." The president's comments blend a stated preference for negotiation with a stark warning about consequences should talks fail. Escalating Tensions Trump's remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the administration considering military options as nuclear negotiations show limited progress. The president recently indicated that clarity on a potential deal would emerge within days, setting an effective deadline for diplomacy. His denial of military-civilian discord suggests an effort to project unified leadership as the administration weighs whether to pursue further negotiations or escalate toward conflict, with the fate of Iran's nuclear program and regional stability hanging in the balance.