Pentagon Accuses Deputy General of Leaking Classified Iran War Plans

The Department of Defense has accused Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia of sharing classified information with media outlets. The Pentagon confirmed the charges late Wednesday, just hours after announcing Sylvia's removal from her role as director of the Joint Staff. Sylvia previously served as the head of strategy, plans, and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In that position, she was responsible for coordinating military plans for the president and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

A Pentagon official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Sylvia is under investigation for leaking details about the war in Iran. The investigation also covers disclosures regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and other topics. The official stated that Sylvia failed three polygraph tests related to the release of classified information. No other reason was given for her dismissal, which is part of a series of military leadership changes under Secretary Hegseth's administration.

Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell announced the personnel action in a social media post. He stated that the department took necessary steps to protect sensitive information. Parnell did not name Sylvia in his post. He added that the case has been referred to the Justice Department for possible additional legal action. It remains unclear why the Pentagon is pursuing civil court charges rather than using the military justice system.

President Donald Trump commented on the removal on Thursday. He said, “She is going to have big problems,” mistakenly identifying the general as a woman. Trump added, “We are looking very closely at the leakers.” Sylvia did not immediately respond to voicemails, texts, emails, or LinkedIn messages sent to accounts that appear to belong to her.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff withdrew a statement issued Wednesday evening on Thursday. The initial message expressed the group's deepest gratitude to Sylvia and her family for 32 years of distinguished service to the nation. The revised statement said that after a more thorough review, the original message did not accurately reflect all the circumstances. The change came the same day the Pentagon confirmed the investigation into the leaks.

Sylvia's departure occurs as President Trump considers restarting attacks on Iran in the eight-month-old conflict. The decision may come after next week's midterm elections. A Pentagon official insisted that Sylvia was not a central planner for the Iran conflict. The official said that planning for that specific war is the responsibility of U.S. Central Command, not the Joint Staff office Sylvia led.

Before joining the Joint Staff, Sylvia commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She held that post until May 2025, according to her official biography, which has now been removed from the internet. She previously served as vice director of the office she recently led. Her military decorations include six Bronze Star medals, one for valor, and a Purple Heart, indicating she was wounded in combat.

This is not the first time Hegseth has accused senior officials of leaking information. Last year, he fired three close advisors as part of a broader leak investigation that included polygraph tests. Senior advisor Dan Caldwell released a joint statement on behalf of the trio. They protested the firings and said they were “incredibly disappointed by the way our service in the Department of Defense ended.” They claimed anonymous officials had defamed their character with unfounded attacks as they left.

Hegseth did not provide further details about the accusations against the three advisors. Caldwell subsequently moved to work in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Under Hegseth's leadership, the Pentagon has also implemented measures to restrict media access. Journalists are now required to have escorts while on Pentagon grounds. The department also declared its press office a classified space that is inaccessible to reporters.