Gen. Dan Caine says U.S. ready to resume combat if Iran breaks ceasefire

A pause — and a warning.

The ceasefire may be in place, but the military is making clear it can flip the switch back to war.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said Wednesday that U.S. forces are fully prepared to resume combat operations if Iran fails to honor the terms of President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement.

Speaking at the Pentagon, Caine underscored that the mission, as defined by the White House, has already been achieved — but warned the operational posture has not changed.

“Over the course of 38 days of major combat operation, the Joint Force achieved the military objectives as defined by the president. We welcome the ongoing ceasefire, and as the Secretary [of War Pete Hegseth] said, we hope that Iran chooses a lasting peace,” Caine said.

But he quickly reinforced the central message coming out of the administration: this is a pause, not a stand-down.

“But as Secretary Hegseth said, let us be clear. A ceasefire is a pause and the joint force remains ready if ordered or called upon to resume combat operations with the same speed and precision as we’ve demonstrated over the last 38 days. And we hope that that is not the case,” Caine added.

The remarks align with broader signals from the Pentagon that while immediate objectives have been met, U.S. forces remain in position and prepared to act.

Watch the clip below:

General Caine:

Let us be clear: a ceasefire is a pause, and the Joint Force remains ready if ordered or called upon to resume combat operations…

We hope that will not be the case. pic.twitter.com/oj4p3vEsko

— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 8, 2026