Hegseth Fires Pentagon's Top War Planner Over Alleged Classified Leaks on Iran and Ukraine

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, director of the Joint Chiefs' Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, for what the Pentagon called "severe misconduct." A Defense Department official told Al Jazeera Sylvia had been meeting with journalists to leak classified information on the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars, and failed three polygraphs on the matter. The Pentagon says the probe continues and was referred to the Justice Department. Sylvia, a former 101st Airborne Division commander, is the second official ousted from that post under Hegseth.

The firing comes amid reports the U.S. warned allies of possible renewed Iran strikes, and as Trump has said he intends to "finish the job" there after the midterms. It extends a pattern under Hegseth of departures tied to leak probes, including three aides dismissed last year.

No comment from Sylvia appears in available reporting. A Pentagon spokesperson said the department has "zero tolerance" for leaking classified information, without naming Sylvia; no replacement has been named.