US Army's top uniformed officer asked to step down as countries discuss coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the army's top uniformed officer to step down, the Pentagon said without giving a reason for the departure, as the United States wages a war against Iran. The ousting comes nearly five weeks into US-Israeli attacks on Iran and with no clear timeline from President Donald Trump on when the war may end. On the same day, about 40 countries discussed joint action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop Iran holding "the global economy hostage," Britain said, after Mr Trump said securing the waterway was for others to resolve. General Randy George held the post of chief of staff of the US Army since August 2023, but Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's top spokesperson, said he will be retiring from his position "effective immediately". Pentagon officials are not offering a reason for the general's departure. It is just the latest of more than a dozen firings of top generals and admirals by Mr Hegseth since he took office last year. General George is a graduate of West Point Military Academy and an infantry officer who served in the first Gulf War as well as Iraq and Afghanistan. He made it through the initial round of firings under the Trump administration in February 2025, when Mr Hegseth removed top military leaders, including the navy's top uniformed officer, and the number two leader at the air force. Since then, more than a dozen other top military generals and admirals have either retired early or been removed from their posts. Lieutenant General Christopher LaNeve will be stepping in as acting army chief of staff, according to a Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. It is a meteoric rise for an officer who was only a two-star general two years ago. The shake-up comes as army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are heading to the Middle East along with thousands of Marines and other assets. In a prime-time address on Wednesday, local time, about the war, the US president offered few details on his strategy going forward but did forecast more military action. "We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks," Mr Trump said of Iran. Mr Hegseth echoed that sentiment after the speech, with a post on social media that simply read, "Back to the Stone Age". Bridge hit by US/Israeli air strikes Loading... Iran's state media said eight people were killed in an air strike on a bridge in Karaj, that was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, local time. A further 95 others were injured when the bridge linking Tehran and the western city of Karaj was hit by air strikes. The US president posted a video of the attack on Truth Social. "IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY," Mr Trump wrote in all capitals. Iran's Fars news agency has now listed several bridges in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Jordan as potential targets for retaliatory Iranian military operations. Countries discuss coalition for Strait of Hormuz European officials said Thursday's initial meeting on reopening the Strait of Hormuz focused on which countries were prepared to participate in the proposed coalition and the diplomatic and economic options available. Although the meeting ended without any specific agreements, there was a consensus Iran should not be able to introduce transit fees on ships using the waterway, and all nations should be able to use it freely, one of the officials said. The next stage of talks will be when military planners meet next week to discuss options, including potential mine-clearing work and providing a reassurance force for commercial shipping. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said Iran's "recklessness" in blockading the waterway was "hitting households and businesses in every corner of the world" as she chaired the virtual meeting, which included Australia, France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and India. "We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage," Ms Cooper said in opening remarks broadcast to the media. Australia's foreign minister, Penny Wong, added: "Iran is deliberately inflicting economic pain on communities worldwide". Concerns about the impact of the rising cost of energy on the global economy prompted these talks to try to form a coalition. European diplomats said putting the coalition together was at an early stage, with Britain and France leading, and made clear that the US was not involved. Tehran offered a competing vision for future control of the strait and said it was drafting a protocol with neighbouring Oman that would require ships to obtain permits and licenses. "These requirements will not mean restrictions, but rather to facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships that pass through this route," Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, according to the official IRNA news agency. An Iranian military spokesperson said the strait would remain closed "long term" to the US and Israel. Oil prices continue to rise US oil prices settled more than 11 per cent higher, and Brent soared nearly 8 per cent on Thursday in volatile trading. Traders remain worried about prolonged disruptions to oil supply, the day after Mr Trump said the US would continue attacks on Iran. Brent crude futures closed $US7.87 ($11.38), or 7.78 per cent, higher at $109.03 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose $11.42, or 11.41 per cent, at $111.54 per barrel, settling at their biggest absolute price rise since 2020. Both benchmarks remained below the highs near $120 a barrel touched earlier in the conflict. "The key question in all investors' minds is, 'When is this going to be over?'" said Russel Chesler, head of investments and capital markets at VanEck Australia. Loading...