CNN reported on the 7th (local time), citing multiple sources, that U.S. military leadership has begun devising an exit strategy after facing the limits of military options in its armed confrontation with Iran.

The biggest obstacles are ammunition and defense capabilities. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine recently raised the issue of depleted ammunition stockpiles in a meeting with President Trump, and military leaders assessed that munitions are "dangerously low." Authorities in the Middle East region have also reportedly conveyed concerns to the United States that there are insufficient core air defense systems to counter potential Iranian attacks.

These logistical and defensive limitations have directly influenced discussions on an exit strategy. Chairman Caine has been in successive contact with key administration officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance, sharing the assessment that airstrikes alone will be insufficient to achieve the goals set by President Trump. Concerns have also been raised that an expansion of the armed conflict could backfire.

President Trump has maintained his reluctance to deploy ground troops to Iran and has indicated a belief that airstrikes could compel Iran to the negotiating table. However, his advisers have assessed the likelihood of this scenario as low, and are said to be focused on finding viable alternatives within the parameters set by the president.