Trump Admin Looking At Military Incursion Into Cuba: Report

Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo

Pentagon officials have been exploring their options for potential military action in Cuba, according to a big new report from CBS.

The Wednesday report comes as the war with Iran has reignited, with five straight days of airstrikes.

The conflict in the Middle East commits valuable American military assets far from home, complicating any action in Cuba.

Sources told CBS News the military has been looking at “a range of options” for Cuba, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of U.S. soldiers:

Military planners have in recent weeks examined a range of options for possible action against the island, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of U.S. soldiers to be carried out by the 101st Airborne Division, the only unit trained for such a task, according to multiple U.S. officials with knowledge of the discussions.

The officials, who spoke to CBS News under condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters, stressed that the briefings are not an indication that President Trump or the Pentagon have decided to carry out an operation.

CBS also described friction between President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over the war in Iran.

Trump has “privately” voiced frustration with the war’s progress, according to the outlet, which cited two U.S. officials who said Hegseth had pushed for “a more confrontational approach.”

Hegseth’s view was tempered by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, CBS reported.

A Pentagon press secretary declined comment to CBS on what they called “hypothetical military operations,” while also refusing comment on the alleged tension between Trump and Hegseth.

The CBS report comes on the heels of an exclusive May report from Axios which revealed military officials had held a “tabletop” exercise for potential action in Cuba led by the U.S. Southern Command.

That report also cited sources who stressed: “no invasion is planned or imminent.”

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