US general warns of risks in potential strike on Iran

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine has warned the White House that the shortfalls in munitions and support from allies could mean greater danger for the U.S. troops in a potential strike on Iran, multiple U.S. media outlets reported Monday, said Xinhua.

Caine told U.S. President Donald Trump and his top aides at a White House meeting last week that any major operation against Iran will face challenges because the U.S. munitions stockpile has been significantly depleted by Washington's ongoing defense of Israel and support for Ukraine, The Washington Post reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

Earlier this month, Caine raised concerns in Pentagon meetings about the scale and complexity of any military campaign targeting Iran as well as the possibility of U.S. casualties, said the report, citing sources on condition of anonymity.

Caine has also cautioned Trump that a military campaign against Iran could lead to a prolonged conflict, Axios reported Monday.

In a statement, Caine's office said that as the president's top military adviser, the chairman "provides a range of military options, as well as secondary considerations and associated impacts and risks, to the civilian leaders who make America's security decisions."

Trump listens to a "variety of perspectives on any given issue, but makes the final decision based on what is best for our country and national security," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly has said.

A new round of U.S.-Iran talks is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva and is expected to focus on Iran's nuclear program, including uranium enrichment levels and sanctions relief.

Many analysts have said that the upcoming round of U.S.-Iran talks is likely the last diplomatic opportunity before a possible U.S.-Israeli large-scale joint military operation on Iran.

The Trump administration has been deploying massive military forces in the Middle East. Trump said Friday that he is considering a limited military strike on Iran.