Trump Denies US War General Refused to Attack Iran

US President Donald Trump/Photo: White House via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump has denied reports that Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine opposed a US attack on Iran.

Trump through his Truth Social platform called the news inaccurate and said without a negotiated deal, Iran could face serious consequences.

"Many stories from fake news media circulating state that General Daniel Caine, sometimes called Razin, is against us going to war with Iran. The story does not mention a source who has such great knowledge, and it is 100 percent not true," Trump said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, February 24.

Trump's statement came after local media reported that Caine had advised Trump and other senior officials that a military operation against Iran could carry significant risks.

Trump said that although Caine, like other officials in his administration, preferred to avoid war, he would be ready to carry out military operations if ordered.

"General Caine, like all of us, wants to see no war but, if the decision is made to fight Iran at the military level, in his opinion it would be something easy to win," he added.

"I make the decisions," Trump said.

Trump alluded to Caine's leadership in "Midnight Hammer," which he described as an operation targeting Iran's nuclear development infrastructure last summer.

The US President also praised Caine as a great fighter who represents the most powerful military anywhere in the world and dismissed reports that there were discussions about limited attacks or doubts within the military leadership.

Trump reiterated that any decision on military action ultimately rests with him.

"I make the decisions, I prefer an agreement to none, but if we don't reach an agreement, it will be a very bad day for the country and, unfortunately, for its people, because they are great and wonderful, and this kind of thing should never happen to them," he said.

The delegations from Iran and the United States are scheduled to meet again in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday to continue discussions on a potential nuclear deal amid rising regional tensions and speculation about an imminent war.