John Phelan has been relieved of his duties as US Navy Secretary, effective immediately, the Pentagon announced. The move comes during a critical period as the US Navy maintains a significant presence in the Persian Gulf, enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports and ships amidst a fragile ceasefire.
Navy Secretary John Phelan has been fired amid a U.S. Navy blockade as Iran seizes ships near the Strait of Hormuz. @MarthaRaddatz reports. pic.twitter.com/ac6Zvlnsnr
— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 23, 2026
“On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy,” said chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
While the Pentagon has not provided an official reason for Phelan’s dismissal, reports suggest internal disputes, including tensions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, may have been contributing factors. Additionally, reports indicate that Phelan was under ethics investigation which may have weakened his standing in the administration.
Phelan, appointed in 2024, brought a business and investment background to the role, consistent with a trend of Trump administration appointments. His tenure faced criticism regarding the pace of shipbuilding reforms and strained relationships with key Pentagon figures.
Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran, has been appointed as acting secretary.
The dismissal has drawn criticism, with Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressing concern over “the instability and dysfunction” within the Department of Defense.
Phelan’s removal is the latest in a series of personnel changes within the US military since the beginning of the war with Iran, including the dismissal of Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George.
Phelan’s departure occurs as the US continues its naval operations in the region, enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports aimed at restricting Iran’s oil exports and applying economic pressure on Tehran. Tensions have recently escalated following the US military’s seizure of an Iranian container ship, which Iran has condemned as an act of “piracy.”
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