According to the Persian edition of ISNA, based on a report by The Daily Beast, U.S. President Donald Trump has excluded Pete Hegseth, his Secretary of Defense, from the circle of advisors he consults regarding a potential attack on Iran.
An unnamed U.S. official told The Washington Post: “The president has turned to several four-star generals instead of Hegseth for guidance on joining Israel in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities, largely bypassing the Pentagon chief.”
The official added: “No one is talking to Hegseth. There’s absolutely no interaction between Hegseth and the White House.”
According to U.S. media, Hegseth, a former Fox News host whose appointment as Defense Secretary faced significant criticism due to his lack of military experience, “does not appear to be persuading Trump to make a decision on this matter.”
The Washington Post reported: “To make a decision, Trump has heavily relied on senior military commanders such as General Eric Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command overseeing operations in the Middle East, instead of Hegseth. Additionally, General Dan Keen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest-ranking U.S. military official, is also advising Trump. Both generals are said to be providing their assessments on Iran to Trump, while Hegseth and his team have largely been sidelined.”
Anna Kelly, Deputy White House Press Secretary, denied reports that Hegseth has been excluded from interactions with Trump.
Kelly told The Daily Beast: “Hegseth and the entire U.S. national security team are effectively advancing the president’s foreign policy goals and consistently providing updated reports on the Middle East.”
A source also told The Daily Beast, denying the claims: “Hegseth has been present at nearly all security meetings related to Iran, and Trump deeply values his perspectives.”
The Pentagon, in a statement issued by its spokesperson Sean Parnell, told The Washington Post: “The Secretary of Defense speaks with the president multiple times a day and was with the president in the Situation Room this week.”
The Washington Post also noted that Hegseth is not the only senior U.S. official sidelined by Trump in the Iran crisis. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, has also faced tensions with Trump due to disputes involving her and her office.
It was reported that a video Gabbard posted on social media on June 10, criticizing “warmongering political elites,” angered Trump. A source told The Washington Post that the president later said to Gabbard in the White House in front of others: “I saw the video, and I didn’t like it.”
