A defense official said Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The official noted this dismissal occurs while President Donald Trump is weighing renewed strikes on Iran.

Sylvia is the second general to be ousted from the position, known as the "J5," under Hegseth, following the forced retirement of Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee last October.

A defense official said Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon’s top military planner. This dismissal occurs while President Donald Trump is weighing renewed strikes on Iran in the eight-month-long war.

Sylvia is the second general removed from the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s strategy, plans, and policy post under Hegseth, following Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee’s forced retirement last October.

Brent crude futures exceeded $116.50 per barrel early Wednesday following a Wall Street Journal report that the Trump administration is preparing for a brief military campaign against Iran after the midterm elections. Trump stated at a rally last week, "We may do another little Epic Fury."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Wednesday that Tehran is discussing with mediators ways to implement a seven-day plan to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.