Hegseth has pushed out Sylvia, director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a source familiar with the situation told CNN.

A spokesman for US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed Sylvia’s departure, but no official explanation was provided, and it remains unclear who will assume his responsibilities.

The abrupt change comes at a critical moment, with US forces in the Middle East reportedly prepared to launch potentially an aggression against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from Trump, according to two US officials cited by CNN.

“It will be a big effort,” one official said, while other current and former officials familiar with military planning reportedly viewed the possibility of renewed strikes as increasingly likely.

However, Trump has yet to make a final decision and has previously appeared to consider military action before backing away, highlighting uncertainty over Washington’s next steps.

The latest departure also underscores mounting instability within the Pentagon under Hegseth, who has overseen sweeping changes to senior military leadership since taking office.

Sylvia, a former commander of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, was nominated for the planning position by former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin near the end of the Biden administration.

His removal follows the forced retirement of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April, a day after Trump signaled plans to intensify the war against Iran.

Hegseth has also dismissed more than two dozen senior officers, clashed with a Navy secretary who was subsequently pushed out, and reportedly intervened in promotions across the military branches.

Sylvia’s predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, also left the position in October 2025 under pressure from Hegseth, CNN reported at the time, after disagreements involving Russia, Ukraine and US military operations in the Caribbean.

Against this backdrop, Washington’s shifting military leadership and unresolved deliberations over Iran have complicated the picture of US strategic decision-making.