In a dramatic shake-up of the Pentagon’s top ranks, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired three senior military officials over disputes surrounding the Iran intelligence assessment, marking one of the most significant leadership purges in the Trump administration’s defence team.

Those dismissed include Lt General Jeffrey Kruse, head of the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, and Rear Admiral Milton Sands. The officials were reportedly removed after disagreements on how to interpret intelligence related to Iran’s nuclear programme and military activities.

According to senior defence sources, the core dispute centred around assessments that downplayed Iran’s immediate nuclear threat. The Trump administration, which has taken a hardline stance on Iran, was dissatisfied with intelligence that suggested Tehran’s nuclear escalation was not as advanced as the White House claimed.

Hegseth, known for his close alignment with Trump’s views on defence and foreign policy, is believed to have acted on directives from the President, who has repeatedly clashed with intelligence agencies over assessments that contradict his political narrative.

The dismissal of Lt Gen Kruse is particularly significant. As head of the DIA, he was responsible for providing independent intelligence to the Pentagon and policymakers. His removal signals a push by the administration to ensure tighter political control over the intelligence community’s reporting on Iran.

Vice Adm Nancy Lacore and Rear Adm Milton Sands were also reportedly dismissed due to disagreements in strategic analysis and operational planning tied to Iran-related military posture in the Middle East. Both were considered career officers with strong reputations inside the US Navy.

This move comes at a time when tensions between the US and Iran remain high. Washington has accused Tehran of destabilising the Middle East through its support of proxy groups, its ballistic missile programme, and its advancing nuclear ambitions. However, intelligence assessments have varied, with some analysts suggesting Iran is more cautious than alarmist rhetoric indicates.

Critics of the Trump administration have warned that firing career intelligence and military officials undermines the independence of the Pentagon and risks politicising military intelligence. Opposition lawmakers in Congress immediately expressed concern that the firings were intended to shape intelligence to match White House policy preferences, rather than reflect objective analysis.

Supporters of the move, however, argue that the President and the Defence Secretary must have complete trust in senior officials, especially on critical matters like Iran, and that disagreements over strategy and intelligence cannot be allowed to undermine policy execution.

The shake-up also raises questions about the stability of the US military leadership at a time of rising global challenges. Iran’s activities in the Gulf, Russia’s continued assertiveness in Europe, and China’s growing military footprint in the Indo-Pacific all demand steady leadership at the Pentagon. The sudden dismissals may add uncertainty to US defence planning.

For Trump and Hegseth, the firings may be intended as a clear message that dissent on Iran policy will not be tolerated. It aligns with the administration’s broader approach of consolidating power and ensuring loyalty in key security institutions.

Internationally, the move will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike. US allies in Europe, who have often taken a more diplomatic approach towards Iran, may view the purge as a sign that Washington is preparing for an even tougher stance. Tehran, on the other hand, is likely to interpret the dismissals as evidence of deep divisions within the US military and intelligence apparatus.

The coming weeks will determine who replaces the dismissed officials and whether the Pentagon can maintain continuity in leadership amid this upheaval. For now, the Trump administration has sent a powerful signal: in the debate over Iran intelligence, political loyalty is taking precedence over independent assessment.

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