# Trump weighs Iran strikes and possible post-midterm dismissals of Hegseth and Caine

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trumps-secret-plot-to-knife-pete-hegseth-as-white-house-plans-fresh-iran-strikes-and-phone-call-with-netanyahu-leaks/
- Published: 2026-11-02T13:58:51+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T14:18:39+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16258763/Trumps-secret-plot-knife-Pete-Hegseth-White-House-plans-fresh-Iran-strikes-phone-call-Netanyahu-leaks.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Art, Culture, Elections, Middle East, Politics, World

## Key points

- Trump is considering whether to dismiss Hegseth and Caine after the midterms.
- US options range from brief strikes to a weeks-long campaign against Iran.
- Netanyahu favours an immediate attack; Trump wants talks to continue.

## Summary

Donald Trump is weighing renewed strikes on Iran while privately asking advisers whether Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine should be dismissed after the US midterms. The article says Trump believes the conflict could hurt Republican chances of keeping control of Congress and is scrutinising officials who had predicted a quick end to the war.

The reported military options range from strikes lasting hours to a campaign of several weeks, including attacks on Iran’s nuclear programme; Trump could also maintain the naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz or withdraw. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing for an immediate attack, while Trump wants negotiations to continue. Vice-President JD Vance has proposed renewed direct talks, with Iran’s nuclear programme included from the outset.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.