Hegseth Fires Top General as Iran War Tensions Escalate

Military tensions and diplomatic efforts surrounding the Iran war intensified as the United States dismissed a senior military planner, Iran reported oil tankers catching fire in the Strait of Hormuz, and Qatari mediators pursued a proposed agreement to end the conflict. The developments came as President Donald Trump weighed possible renewed military action against Tehran while Washington explored diplomatic channels.

A Pentagon official told CBS News that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from his position on Wednesday following allegations that he leaked classified information related to the Iran war. Sylvia served as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The dismissal adds to a series of senior military leadership changes under Hegseth. The allegations against Sylvia were the stated reason for his removal, according to the Pentagon official cited by CBS News.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said three oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz over the preceding 24 hours. The Iranian military organization said the vessels became stranded along the strait's southern shores.

The IRGC Navy's public relations office said the vessels were using a route Tehran considers unauthorized and had ignored warnings from Iranian forces.

"These oil tankers had switched off all their radar and navigation systems," the IRGC said.

The organization said the vessels were attempting to leave through a southern shipping corridor despite warnings. The United States has encouraged commercial shipping to use that route, which Trump declared mine-free at the end of August. Iran instead insists that vessels use routes closer to its northern coastline under arrangements coordinated with Iranian authorities.

"Disregarding warnings from the IRGC Navy, the vessels were attempting to exit through the unauthorized southern route of the Strait of Hormuz when they struck naval mines and exploded," the IRGC said.

The IRGC held the tankers' owners and crews responsible for using the disputed passage. The source report did not establish the identities of the vessels or confirm the condition of their crews.

Diplomatic efforts continued alongside the military developments. An official briefed on the negotiations told CBS News on Wednesday that Qatari mediators had presented Iran with a new draft agreement intended to end the war. Tehran's response was expected by the end of the week, most likely Saturday, the official said.

Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that the country "continues to give diplomacy a chance." However, a senior Iranian official separately denied that Qatar had delivered a new peace proposal on Sunday, telling Reuters that the ideas presented were "unacceptable."

Vice President JD Vance also contacted Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei in an effort to explore renewed negotiations, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. The letter was sent at Trump's direction through Qatari mediators, with the Times reporting that it was delivered on Sunday after being sent the previous week.

The New York Times reported that Vance proposed an early meeting between American and Iranian officials and offered to lead the US negotiating team. Direct discussions could begin as soon as the following week in Qatar or Turkey, according to US and Iranian officials cited by the newspaper. Axios reported that the letter said negotiations aimed at preventing further US strikes would need to address Iran's nuclear program.

Trump disputed the characterization of Vance's outreach as an attempt to restart peace negotiations. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he described the initiative as an effort to facilitate humanitarian assistance.

"What that is, they [Iran] need help with medical supplies and various things. He [Vance] asked me what I thought and I said, 'If you want to do that that's okay.' Basically it's getting supplies in to help people who are not well," Trump said.

Separately, two diplomats briefed on the matter told The Associated Press that US officials had warned several Middle Eastern countries and regional allies to prepare for possible renewed American strikes against Iran after the following week's midterm elections. The warning also covered the possibility of Iranian retaliation against those countries. The diplomats emphasized that Trump had not made a final decision on further military action.