The United States fired its top military strategist in a surprise reshuffle, reports The Atlantic

The United States has fired its top military strategist in a surprise reshuffle, The Atlantic magazine reported Wednesday, as US President Donald Trump appears to be preparing to resume large-scale strikes against Iran.

Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed this week from his position as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the magazine said, citing unidentified Defense Department officials.

If confirmed, Brett Sylvia's dismissal would be the latest in a series of high-profile departures from the military since Donald Trump returned to power in early 2025. Last month, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that the United States had reduced the number of its generals and admirals by 20%, a move he said was aimed at holding them "accountable."

Calling it a "success," he suggested the dismissals targeted officers who had not embraced his efforts to refocus the military on fighting the war rather than what he called the "woke" policies of previous administrations. No reason was given for Sylvia's departure and no replacement has been named, according to The Atlantic. Contacted by AFP, the Pentagon has not responded for the moment.

This possible dismissal comes as many observers believe that Donald Trump is considering new strikes against Iran after the American mid-term elections on November 3. “We could do another little Epic Fury,” the American president said last week, referring to the American-Israeli attacks against Iran in February which sparked the war. He provided no indication of a possible timetable.

Neither the United States nor Iran have launched major attacks against land targets since early September, instead sticking to a pattern of strikes against commercial shipping. In his previous roles, Brett Sylvia had notably led the 101st Airborne Division, an air assault division of the US Army, and commanded a unit in Iraq.