The Washington Post reports multiple U.S. military leaders told Defense
Secretary Hegseth that extending large-scale operations against Iran is
unsustainable and could weaken the U.S. military’s ability to counter other
regional threats, including defending the homeland. The assessment prepared for
Hegseth is recorded in the Aug. 14 edition of the Defense Secretary’s order
book, which directs some U.S. forces in the Middle East to remain at least
through September and others through 2027. Concern over potential further
extensions prompted the warnings; commanders of U.S. European Command, U.S.
Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Southern Command and the senior Navy officer entered
“do not agree” responses in the order book—signaling disagreement with extending
deployments while still indicating they will carry out the orders, sources said.
