Another senior military official has been ousted by the Trump administration as hostilities with Iran rumble on amid a tenuous ceasefire. Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired on Wednesday, April 22, during the US Navy’s most consequential mission in decades: the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the second major US military leadership shake-up since the Iran war began in late February. As Commander in Chief, Donald Trump and his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, have sought to remove a series of Pentagon leaders who are seen to be at odds with the administration.

John Phelan’s abrupt departure comes as the US Navy enforces a high-stakes blockade of Iran and follows the firing of a top US Army general.

Il segretario della Marina John Phelan è stato licenziato dopo mesi di tensioni con il capo del Pentagono Pete Hegseth. (ANSA)

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNavy Secretary John Phelan has departed the…

Exit of John Phelan, navy’s top civilian official, comes a week after Pete Hegseth fired army’s top officer

La salida se produce semanas después de que el secretario de Defensa apartara de su cargo al jefe del Estado Mayor del Ejército

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John Phelan is ‘departing the administration, effective immediately’ says Pentagon as undersecretary Hung Cao takes over – key US politics stories from 22 April 2026 at a glance

Il Pentagono ha annunciato mercoledì che il più alto funzionario civile della Marina statunitense, John Phelan, lascerà il suo in...

Another senior military official has been ousted by the Trump administration as hostilities with Iran rumble on amid a tenuous ceasefire. Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired on…