TEHRAN/WASHINGTON – Top US general Dan Caine has, over the last few weeks, privately told other top advisers of President Donald Trump that Washington needs to find an off-ramp from the conflict with Iran, CNN reported.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman made the suggestion because "military options on the table to escalate the conflict could backfire," and airpower alone is unlikely to achieve Trump's stated objectives, the report said, citing three sources familiar with the matter.

The report noted that Trump has consistently appeared averse to the idea of deploying ground troops in Iran, betting that airstrikes alone can force Tehran to agree to a deal on his terms but Caine and others in Trump's cabinet privately view that outcome as "unlikely".

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The CNN report came a day after Trump acknowledged that although overall US ammunition stockpiles remain sufficient, supplies of certain types of ammunition are "a little bit tighter".

Data from the Pentagon showed that 18 US service members were killed and 687 were injured in the conflict against Iran.

A growing number of polls showed rising public backlash against the conflict. A recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll found that 68 percent of Americans believe the war is not "worth fighting". A new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that just one in three Americans support the conflict, the lowest reading since the five-month-old conflict's early days.

'Tehran won't be forced to surrender'

In an interview published on the website of his office on Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed the country's commitment to pursuing dialogue for safeguarding its rights while highlighting that Tehran will not be forced to surrender.

Pezeshkian defended the Iranian government's decision to enter negotiations with the United States and sign the memorandum of understanding on ending the conflict.

He said Iran remains committed to its obligations as long as the United States fulfills its commitments under the MoU, adding, "Wherever they fail to fulfill their commitment, we have no obligation to continue."

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Earlier this week, Pezeshkian denied that he was stepping down and said he would "continue his work resolutely". The remarks came amid rumored "divisions" within Iran's leadership over the MoU.

In June, Iran and the United States signed the MoU, under which the two sides were scheduled to hold negotiations within a 60-day period to reach a final agreement. However, renewed tensions between the two have left the talks' fate uncertain.