Senior U.S. military commanders reportedly warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that extending large-scale operations against Iran is unsustainable and could weaken the United States’ ability to respond to threats elsewhere, including within the country. The warnings appeared in the Aug. 14 edition of the Secretary of Defense Orders Book, or SDOB, according to The Washington Post. The document reportedly extends some Middle East deployments through September and others into 2027, while the heads of European, Pacific and Southern Commands and the Navy’s top admiral filed a non-concur opposing the extensions. The concerns emerged as the six-month conflict, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in February 2026, resumed direct exchanges after almost a month without attacks and remained focused partly on the Strait of Hormuz. The campaign has strained the Navy’s budget, reduced stocks of missile interceptors and long-range precision missiles, and diverted forces from other regions. A prediction market now prices the chance of a U.S. invasion of Iran before 2027 at 15.5% YES, down from earlier levels, although market pricing and the broader geopolitical situation remain fluid.